The Netherlands national football team has never won the FIFA World Cup, but it’s still considered a powerhouse squad. Why? The Dutch have reached the final three times and have consistently performed well in international tournaments. Plus, they currently sit seventh in the FIFA football rankings.

Despite these successes, the team has experienced a few heartbreaking near-misses in past tournaments. Now with coach Ronald Koeman managing the squad, can they finally accomplish what their previous squads could not and bring home the nation’s first World Cup trophy?

The Netherlands and Its World Cup History

The Netherlands national team qualified for the World Cup eleven times and has a string of impressive football accomplishments. The squad’s style is a hybrid of attacking sequences and strong midfield control. They are also known for their technical skill and fluid movements.

Here is how the Dutch have performed in past World Cup tournaments.

• Finals (3): 1974, 1978, 2010
• Third Place (1): 2014
• Quarter-Finals (2): 1994, 2022
• Round of 16 (3): 1934, 1938, 1990
• Group Stage (2): 1998, 2006

The Legendary 1974 Team

In 1974, the Netherlands team made it to the finals under the management of Rinus Michels. During the tournament, the Dutch introduced their “Total Football” tactic, where players switched positions throughout the game while maintaining control on the field.

With their creative style of play, the team advanced to the final against West Germany. However, the German team eventually won the match 2-1.

Another Final in 1978

Four years later, the Netherlands advanced to the World Cup final again, this time facing the host nation Argentina. Their aggressive and disciplined play was impressive, but Argentina pulled to the lead after extra time, winning the game 3-1.

Losing two World Cup finals in a row cemented the Netherlands’ reputation as a powerhouse team but an unlucky one.

The 2010 World Cup Run

In 2010, the Netherlands came close to winning the World Cup under manager Bert van Marwijk. Players Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, and Mark van Bommel made up the core of the team. The final match was against Spain, but the Dutch team eventually lost 1-0.

Strong Performances in Recent Years But no Consistency

Despite their 2010 loss, the Dutch secured third place at the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil. Under coach Louis van Gaal, the team destroyed Spain 5-1 and later defeated Brazil 3-0.

The team has not always shown consistency, though. It failed to qualify for the UEFA Euro in 2016 and the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Many football experts cited aging players and new players who lacked experience.

The Dutch eventually made a comeback in Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They reached the quarterfinals but lost to Argentina during the penalty shootout.

Ronald Koeman’s Current Team

Coach Ronald Koeman is relying on a 4-2-3-1 formation and a strong group of midfield players, like Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, and Frenkie de Jong. However, player Xavi Simons will miss this year’s World Cup after a ruptured ACL. Still, Virgil van Dijk will remain the defensive leader of the team.

The Netherlands team tends to emphasize possession-based football as well as technical passing. Koeman will maintain this style while adding quick transitions and a stronger defensive structure.

The team will also continue with its “Total Football” style, with midfielders rotating positions to overwhelm the opposing defense team. The Dutch team’s weakness tends to be consistency, looking strong in one match and then struggling in the next. Moreover, the team’s forward line occasionally lacks finishing power. Xavi Simons’ absence from the game could hurt the team, too.

Koeman won’t announce his final squad until later in May, though, which will allow some of his players to heal before the tournament begins.

The Netherlands’ Base Camp for the 2026 World Cup

The Netherlands has picked Kansas City as a base camp for the 2026 World Cup tournament, joining other major teams, such as England and Argentina.

The Dutch will be training at the Kansas City Current Training Facility, which has two world-class pitches, a weight and cardio room, and recovery assets.

This is what the team’s 2026 World Cup schedule looks like for the group stages:

• June 14th: Netherlands vs Japan in Dallas
• June 20th: Netherlands vs Sweden in Houston (3.5 hours from Dallas by car)
• June 25th: Netherlands vs Tunisia in Kansas City (a short plane ride from Dallas)

One advantage is that all three matches in the group stage will take place in one time zone, making travel easier for the players. During the matches, there will be one short flight: from Dallas back to Kansas City. Players who prefer not to fly have the option of making the 8-hour drive between the two cities instead.

Can the Netherlands Finally Win the World Cup?

The Netherlands is a dangerous team, and it’s the clear favorite in Group F. Yet the team is also overlooked, with teams like France, Spain, and Argentina receiving the majority of the attention. But if the Dutch play their cards right, they can make it to the semifinals. And, yes, it’s possible for them to finally win the World Cup.

The squad’s football history has painful near-misses, but their innovative “Total Football” style is unforgettable. This year, Koeman’s goal is to rely on a balanced squad rather than a few young stars. If the Dutch can combine talent, creativity, aggressive play, and consistency, they could make it all the way to the top.