Betting on the World Cup 2026: The Dutch National team

The Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup: opponents, top players and how to watch live

Orange fever is not fully in full swing yet, but from early June onwards it is expected that the entire country will be gripped by the 2026 World Cup. With the Netherlands as one of the participating nations, “we” are hoping to go as far as possible once again. Can the Netherlands surprise friend and foe and, for the first time in history, be crowned world champions? With a squad featuring players from top European clubs, nothing seems impossible. Oranje Palace takes a closer look at the Dutch national team under Ronald Koeman and tells you where to watch live Netherlands games.

The Netherlands at recent World Cups

For a small country, the Netherlands has a rich football history. The Oranje have reached the World Cup final three times, but unfortunately lost on each occasion. In 1974, West Germany won, in 1978 Argentina prevailed, and in 2010 Spain proved too strong after extra time. These results show that the Netherlands firmly belong among football’s elite nations, something the country can be proud of.

At the most recent tournament, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals. In the group stage, Oranje dominated by finishing above Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar. They then defeated the United States, before losing to Argentina on penalties. That match is remembered for Wout Weghorst’s dramatic late equaliser, which brought the Netherlands back into the game. The controversy around a potential red card for Lionel Messi and a physical challenge involving Virgil van Dijk also remains part of the discussion.

The Netherlands’ opponents during the World Cup

At the 2026 World Cup in North America, 48 teams will take part. This means there are eight groups of four teams, with the top two in each group automatically advancing. In addition, the eight best third-placed teams also progress. In short, it would take a very poor performance not to reach the round of 32.

The Netherlands have been drawn with Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. While the Dutch are expected to be stronger than Sweden and Tunisia, Japan looks like a serious opponent. Below is a short overview of the group opponents:

Japan

Japan has been a regular World Cup participant since 1998 and has developed into a consistent presence on the world stage. Their best results are reaching the round of 16, achieved in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022. They are known for their technically skilled and highly organised team football.

Sweden

Sweden has a strong World Cup history, reaching the final in 1958, where they lost to Brazil. They have also reached the semi-finals multiple times. In recent years, such as in 2018, they made it to the quarter-finals. Historically, players like Henrik Larsson and Zlatan Ibrahimović stood out, while today the team relies on Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak.

Tunesia

Tunisia is a regular African participant but often fails to progress beyond the group stage. Since their debut in 1978, they have qualified for the World Cup several times. Despite limited success, they have produced some memorable matches, including becoming the first African nation to win a World Cup match in 1978 against Mexico.

Key players of the Netherlands

During every tournament, Dutch football fans are divided between pessimists and optimists. Some of the 17 million self-proclaimed national team coaches have little confidence, citing a lack of a top coach and attackers, while others point to the fact that most of the starting XI plays in the Premier League. The truth likely lies somewhere in between.

What is clear, however, is that the Netherlands have a number of outstanding players:

Virgil van Dijk

Plays for Liverpool FC and is the captain of the national team. As a central defender, he provides leadership, organisation and defensive stability, and is a major threat during set pieces.

Frenkie de Jong

Represents FC Barcelona and is the midfield engine. He controls the tempo, distributes the ball and connects defence with attack. After missing Euro 2024, he will be eager to shine at the 2026 World Cup.

Memphis Depay

Plays for Brazilian club Corinthians and is a key attacker. He is the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands, providing creativity, goals and decisive contributions, although his record at major tournaments has been inconsistent.

Ryan Gravenberch

Under contract with Liverpool FC and brings energy to the midfield. He combines physical strength with technical ability and adds forward momentum. This will be his first World Cup.

Cody Gakpo

Also plays for Liverpool FC and is an important left winger. He was the top scorer for the Netherlands at both the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024. He will be hoping to repeat that impact.

Where to watch the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup will take place across three countries: Canada, the United States and Mexico. For football fans worldwide, the tournament will be easy to follow thanks to extensive broadcasting coverage.

In the Netherlands, all matches, including those of the national team, will be shown live and free of charge by NOS. Broadcasts will be available on NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3, ensuring fans do not miss a single match.

Thanks to NOS holding the broadcasting rights, the entire tournament will be centrally available on Dutch television. In addition to watching at home, many fans will also gather in cafés, sports bars and public viewing areas, where the World Cup atmosphere truly comes alive.