The three-time FIFA World Cup runners-up Netherlands are considered among the most challenging and underrated teams in any big competition. In the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the Oranje produced some dominant on-field performances to qualify for the upcoming FIFA World Cup comfortably.
In the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification (UEFA), the Netherlands started from Group G, where they faced the challenges of Finland, Malta, Poland, and Lithuania. The Netherlands finished the group as champions with 20 points in eight games, including six wins and two losses.
In the entire qualifier, Netherlands scored 27 goals, while conceding only four goals. In their second game, Oranje won by 8-0 against Malta, while they also beat Finland and Lithuania both by 4-0 at home. Their only winless home game in the qualification process was against Poland, which ended by 1-1 draw. In their second meeting against Malta, which was the home game for the Reds, Oranje won by 4-0.
Netherlands' performances in the FIFA WC 2026 Qualification UEFA Group G
Finland 0 – 2 Netherlands
Netherlands 8 – 0 Malta
Netherlands 1 – 1 Poland
Lithuania 2 – 3 Netherlands
Malta 0 – 4 Netherlands
Netherlands 4 – 0 Finland
Poland 1 – 1 Netherlands
Netherlands 4 – 0 Lithuania
Netherlands' Complete FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification Stats
Matches played: 8
Won: 6
Drawn: 2
Lost: 0
Goals Scored: 27
Goals Conceded: 4
Leading Goal Scorer: Memphis Depay – 8 goals
Netherlands FIFA World Cup records
Netherlands are ready for their 12th FIFA World Cup appearance, as they have strongly booked the tickets for the 2026 edition. It is their second consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance, starting from 2022. Since 1990, they have missed only two FIFA World Cup editions.
After recording back-to-back runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 editions, the Netherlands recorded the runners-up for the third time in the 2010 edition. They have never been eliminated from the group stage, as they have always qualified for the knockout stages.
Netherlands group stage schedule in the FIFA World Cup 2026
The Netherlands will start their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey in Group F, where their challengers will be Japan. Sweden, and Tunisia.
June 14: Netherlands vs Japan at AT&T Stadium, Arlington (15:00 local time)
June 20: Netherlands vs Sweden at NRG Stadium, Houston (12:00 local time)
June 25: Tunisia vs Netherlands at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (18:00 local time)
