Netherlands travel to North America for the FIFA World Cup this summer with a renewed sense of ambition, looking to finally go one step further after a history of near misses on the biggest stage.
The Netherlands have reached the World Cup final on three occasions — in 1974, 1978, and 2010 — but have fallen short each time, making the trophy the most conspicuous absence from Dutch football’s otherwise rich cabinet.
Ronald Koeman’s side will be hoping to write a different story in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The Netherlands qualified for the tournament by finishing top of UEFA Group G, going unbeaten and ending the campaign three points clear of Poland.
Koeman’s side won six and drew two of their eight qualifiers, scoring 27 goals and conceding just four. (Ladbrokes) Koeman’s side clinched the group with a decisive 4–0 victory over Lithuania in their final qualifier.
At Euro 2024, the Dutch reached the semi-finals, where they were narrowly beaten 2–1 by England in Dortmund.
Despite never fulfilling their potential at the World Cup, this more unheralded side should not be discounted too hastily.
The notable absentee from Koeman’s final squad is midfielder Xavi Simons, who ruptured his ACL in April 2026 while playing for Tottenham Hotspur, ending his tournament hopes.
The Netherlands are in Group F at the tournament, along with Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.
Netherlands 2026 World Cup fixtures
- Sunday, 14th June — Netherlands vs Japan — Arlington, USA
- Saturday, 20th June — Netherlands vs Sweden — Houston, USA
- Friday, 26th June — Tunisia vs Netherlands — Kansas City, USA
What time do Netherlands’ World Cup games kick-off?
All kick-off times are BST.
- Netherlands vs Japan, 9pm
- Netherlands vs Sweden, 6pm
- Tunisia vs Netherlands, 12am
2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton)
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)
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