The Netherlands are one of football’s most celebrated and frustrating nations. Known as Oranje, they have produced some of the game’s greatest players yet have never won the World Cup despite three final appearances.
Johan Cruyff’s Total Football revolution in the 1970s redefined how the game was played. Under Ronald Koeman – in his second spell in charge since 2023 – they arrive in North America determined to finally end the wait.
How they got there
The Netherlands qualified by winning UEFA Group G with six wins and two draws – scoring 27 goals and conceding just four across eight matches. They sealed qualification with a 4-0 win over Lithuania at the Johan Cruyff Arena on 17 November 2025.
The key absence is Xavi Simons – who ruptured his ACL in April while at Tottenham and is ruled out of the entire tournament.
Best ever World Cup finish
The Netherlands have reached three World Cup finals – in 1974, 1978 and 2010 – without winning any of them. Their most celebrated campaign remains 1974 when Cruyff’s Total Football side lost 2-1 to hosts West Germany in one of the greatest finals ever played.
In 2010 they lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time in South Africa. They failed to qualify for 2018 entirely before returning to reach the quarter-finals in 2022.
Iconic moments
Dennis Bergkamp’s extraordinary controlling touch and finish against Argentina in the 1998 quarter-finals remains one of the greatest goals ever scored at a World Cup.
Johan Cruyff’s iconic turn against Sweden at the 1974 tournament is equally celebrated – a moment of individual genius that defined an entire era of Dutch football.
Players to watch
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – The 34-year-old captain is the foundation of everything the Netherlands do. Dominant in the air, composed on the ball and an authoritative leader – Van Dijk’s performances will determine how far the Dutch go in North America.
Memphis Depay (Corinthians) – The Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with 55 international goals arrives carrying fitness concerns after a hamstring injury at Corinthians. Koeman picked him regardless – his quality and experience at major tournaments is irreplaceable.
Fixtures
14 Jun: Netherlands vs Japan – AT&T Stadium, Arlington – 22:00 SAST
20 Jun: Netherlands vs Sweden – NRG Stadium, Houston – 19:00 SAST
26 Jun: Tunisia vs Netherlands – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City – 01:00 SAST
Photo: REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
