Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

The Netherlands have appeared in three World Cup finals without ever winning the tournament, a record that makes them one of the most celebrated yet unlucky nations in the competition's history. They reached the final in 1974 (losing 2-1 to West Germany), in 1978 (losing 3-1 to Argentina after extra time), and in 2010 (losing 1-0 to Spain). Their 1970s sides, built on the Total Football philosophy of Johan Cruyff, are widely regarded as among the greatest teams never to win the World Cup. The Dutch also finished third in 2014, defeating Brazil 3-0 in the third-place play-off. They have 0 world titles.

Qualification

The Netherlands qualified directly for the 2026 World Cup by winning UEFA qualifying Group G, finishing with 20 points from 8 matches, three points ahead of second-placed Poland. Koeman's side was unbeaten throughout the campaign and clinched the group with a decisive 4-0 victory over Lithuania in their final qualifier. Poland, as runners-up, advanced to the UEFA play-offs, while the Netherlands secured an automatic berth.

Preparation

Ronald Koeman announced his final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on 2026-05-27 at the KNVB Campus in Zeist, with the notable absence of midfielder Xavi Simons, who ruptured his ACL in April 2026 while playing for Tottenham Hotspur, ending his tournament hopes. Players and staff reported in Zeist on Saturday 2026-05-30 for the official start of World Cup preparation. The first public training session was held on Sunday 2026-05-31 before a public crowd: 25 of the 26 selected players took part, with uncapped Crysencio Summerville among them. Jurrien Timber was the lone absentee, having played around an hour as a substitute in Arsenal's Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on 30 May, and was due to join up later in the week; standby defenders Lutsharel Geertruida and Ian Maatsen trained as cover in case Timber proved unfit. As warm-up matches, the Dutch face Algeria on Wednesday 3 June at Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) in Rotterdam, a fixture that was confirmed sold out on 2026-05-29, and Uzbekistan on 8 June at Icahn Stadium in New York, before travelling to their base camp at the Kansas City Current Training Facility in Kansas City, Missouri.

Latest news

Oranje hold open training in Zeist; Summerville trains, Timber the lone absentee after Champions League final

· matches

The Netherlands held an open training in Zeist on Sunday 31 May. 25 of the 26 selected players took part, including uncapped Crysencio Summerville (West Ham). The only absentee was Jurrien Timber, a sub for an hour in Arsenal's Champions League final loss to PSG on penalties a day earlier; he joins later in the week. Standbys Geertruida and Maatsen trained as cover; Depay had reported Saturday.

Jurrien Timber passes late fitness test, starts Champions League final after groin problem

· injuries

Mikel Arteta confirmed Jurrien Timber fit to start Arsenal's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. The defender had been sidelined since mid-March with a groin problem before returning to full training. His comeback, playing close to an hour in the final, eased concerns over his availability for the Netherlands' World Cup campaign.

Oranje squad reports to KNVB Campus in Zeist for start of World Cup preparation

· general

On Saturday 30 May the full 26-man Netherlands squad and staff gathered at the KNVB Campus in Zeist for the official start of preparation for the 2026 World Cup. The first public training session is scheduled for Sunday 31 May, ahead of the farewell friendly against Algeria at De Kuip on 3 June.

Farewell friendly Netherlands - Algeria at De Kuip on 3 June sold out

· matches

The KNVB confirmed that the warm-up match between the Netherlands and Algeria at Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) in Rotterdam on Wednesday 3 June, kickoff 20:45, is sold out. It is the final home fixture for Oranje before departing for the 2026 World Cup, with a second warm-up against Uzbekistan to follow on 8 June in New York.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Bart VerbruggenGKBrighton & Hove Albion
Robin RoefsGKSunderland
Mark FlekkenGKBayer Leverkusen
Virgil van DijkDFLiverpool
Denzel DumfriesDFInter Milan
Nathan AkeDFManchester City
Micky van de VenDFTottenham Hotspur
Jan Paul van HeckeDFBrighton & Hove Albion
Jorrel HatoDFChelsea
Jurrien TimberDFArsenal
Ryan GravenberchMFLiverpool
Tijjani ReijndersMFManchester City
Teun KoopmeinersMFJuventus
Frenkie de JongMFBarcelona
Quinten TimberMFMarseille
Marten de RoonMFAtalanta
Guus TilMFPSV Eindhoven
Mats WiefferMFBrighton & Hove Albion
Cody GakpoFWLiverpool
Donyell MalenFWRoma
Brian BrobbeyFWSunderland
Noa LangFWGalatasaray
Wout WeghorstFWAjax
Memphis DepayFWCorinthians
Justin KluivertFWBournemouth
Crysencio SummervilleFWWest Ham United

Recent results

  • 2024-03-22 — NED 4-0 SCO (friendly)
  • 2024-03-26 — GER 2-1 NED (friendly)
  • 2024-06-06 — NED 4-0 CAN (friendly)
  • 2024-06-10 — NED 4-0 ISL (friendly)
  • 2025-06-07 — FIN 0-2 NED (qualification)
  • 2025-06-10 — NED 8-0 MLT (qualification)
  • 2025-09-04 — NED 1-1 POL (qualification)
  • 2025-09-07 — LTU 2-3 NED (qualification)
  • 2025-10-09 — MLT 0-4 NED (qualification)
  • 2025-10-12 — NED 4-0 FIN (qualification)
  • 2025-11-14 — POL 1-1 NED (qualification)
  • 2025-11-17 — NED 4-0 LTU (qualification)
  • 2026-03-27 — NED 2-1 NOR (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — NED 1-1 ECU (friendly)

Predict Group F →