The Oranje return under Koeman with van Dijk, de Jong, and a fearless new wave chasing the title that has always eluded them.
The Netherlands reached the Euro 2024 semi-final under Ronald Koeman's second stint in charge. Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, and Frenkie de Jong carry a deep mid-generation forward; Xavi Simons (22), Cody Gakpo, and Jeremie Frimpong represent the new wave. Oranje's recurring World Cup question can Dutch football's idea-rich football finally close on a final remains unanswered heading into their first 48-team tournament.
Netherlands emerged from the group stage unbeaten, showing resilience in a tough opening round. In the knockout rounds, they were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the Round of 32. The agony of a penalty shootout defeat against Morocco brought a cruel end to a campaign that had promised so much more.
2won2drawn
11scored5conceded
Unbeaten throughout scored in every match.
Virgil van Dijk, 34, captains the side in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup. Liverpool's 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League were built around his centre-back mastery. An all-time Oranje captain, his leadership is the gravitational anchor of the 2026 squad.
vs Sweden
group stage
2 goals in 7 minutes 2 scored by Brobbey.
Cody Gakpo led Netherlands's attack with 3 goals 2 in the group stage and 1 in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Shared the top-scorer honours with Brobbey, both with 3.
Koeman returned to the Netherlands job in January 2023 after a first, interrupted stint. A national football legend as a Euro 88 winner, he has modernized Dutch football's tactical template into a pragmatic 3-4-3 that accommodates Van Dijk as sweeper. Unbeaten under Koeman leading Netherlands at his first World Cup.
