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The Netherlands remains one of the most iconic teams in World Cup history. Although they have yet to lift the most important trophy in football, the Dutch national team has built an extraordinary history on the world stage, playing in three finals and consistently being protagonists in major competitions.
For a country of around 18 million people, the success of the “Tulips” is considered extraordinary. Since the 1974 World Cup, the Netherlands has always reached the knockout stage in every tournament they have participated in. Now, the team is preparing for another big challenge at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America.
Koeman returns to lead the Netherlands
In January 2023, Ronald Koeman took charge of the Dutch national team for the second time, following the departure of Louis van Gaal at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The experienced coach has managed some of Europe's most famous clubs, including Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax and Everton. In addition to his coaching career, Koeman also left his mark as a player for the Netherlands at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, where he stood out for his set pieces and accuracy from the penalty spot, despite his role as a defender.
Netherlands group stage matches
The Netherlands will face an interesting group at the 2026 World Cup. The match schedule is as follows:
June 14: Netherlands – Japan, in Dallas
June 20: Netherlands – Sweden, in Houston
June 25: Tunisia – Netherlands, in Kansas City
Qualification secured at the end
The Dutch secured their ticket to the World Cup only in the final match of the European qualifiers, after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Lithuania on November 17.
Koeman's team finished Group G unbeaten, drawing only twice 1-1 with Poland. In total, the Netherlands scored 25 goals and conceded just two, in matches against Poland, Finland, Malta and Lithuania.
Netherlands' World Cup history
Confederation: UEFA
First participation: Italy 1934
Total participation: 12
Best achievement: Finalist in 1974, 1978 and 2010
Last World Cup: Qatar 2022 (quarterfinals)
Overall record: 55 matches, 30 wins, 14 draws, 11 losses
Goals scored: 96
Goals conceded: 52
Three finals and three disappointments
The Netherlands has been very close to world triumph on three occasions, but has always stopped at the last step.
In 1974, Johan Cruyff's legendary team was defeated 2-1 by West Germany in the final. Four years later, the "Tulips" lost again to Argentina, who won 3-1 after extra time in Buenos Aires.
The third final came at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The Netherlands were defeated 1-0 by Spain thanks to a decisive goal from Andres Iniesta in extra time.
Drama against Argentina in "Qatar 2022"
One of the most dramatic matches in the Netherlands' recent history was the quarter-final against Argentina at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The Dutch were 2-0 down, but the introduction of Ut Ueghorst changed the course of the match. The striker scored in the 83rd minute and then scored the equalizer in extra time, sending the match to penalties.
However, Argentina triumphed thanks to the saves of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who stopped shots from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Bergwijs.
Stars who made history
Johnny Repp remains the Netherlands' top scorer in World Cup history with seven goals, scored in the 1974 and 1978 editions.
Meanwhile, the record for most appearances in the World Cup is held by Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie, with 17 matches each.
Iconic moments of "Tulips"
The Netherlands has provided some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history.
In 1974, Johan Cruyff introduced the legendary "Cruyff Turn" move, which changed the way modern football is interpreted.
In the 1998 World Cup, Denis Bergkamp scored one of the most beautiful goals of the competition against Argentina, while in 2014 Robin van Persie stunned the world with a spectacular header against Spain.
That same year, coach Louis van Gaal made history when he used goalkeeper Tim Krul only for the penalty shootout against Costa Rica. Krul saved two penalties and the Netherlands secured qualification.
Biggest victory in the World Cup
The Netherlands' most convincing victory at the World Cup was recorded in France 1998, when the "Tulips" defeated South Korea 5-0.
In that challenge, Filip Koku, Mark Overmars, Denis Bergkamp, Pier van Huijdonk and Ronald de Beer scored, in another performance that remains part of Dutch football history.
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