The Netherlands conclude their Group G campaign in UEFA’s World Cup qualifying section this month.
The Oranje were unbeaten through six matches, winning five and drawing at home to closest challengers Poland.
An aggregate of 12-0 in their two matches against Malta have given Ronald Koeman’s team a handsome goal difference advantage that should make automatic qualification straightforward for the three-time finalists.
The Sporting News examines the state of play of the Netherlands’ qualification hopes.
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Have Netherlands qualified for World Cup 2026?
As of matchday nine of the UEFA qualifying section, the Netherlands have not yet secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
They sit top of Group G, three points ahead of Poland, who they face in Warsaw on November 14. However, a +13 goal-difference advantage over their nearest challengers means even defeat in the penultimate qualifier should not derail the Netherlands.
Ronald Koeman’s side host bottom-of-the-table Lithuania in Amsterdam on the final matchweek, while Poland travel to Malta.
MORE: All you need to know about how UEFA’s World Cup qualifying section works
Netherlands World Cup qualifying results, fixtures
The Netherlands have two games left in Group G:
- Friday, November 14: Poland vs. Netherlands
- Monday, November 17: Netherlands vs. Lithuania
Netherlands World Cup 2026 qualifying results
| Date | Match | Venue |
| June 7, 2025 | Finland 0-2 Netherlands | Olympic Stadium (Helsinki, Finland) |
| June 10, 2025 | Netherlands 8-0 Malta | Euroborg (Groningen, Netherlands) |
| September 4, 2025 | Netherlands 1-1 Poland | De Kuip (Rotterdam, Netherlands) |
| September 7, 2025 | Lithuania 2-3 Netherlands | Darius and Girenas Stadium (Kaunas, Lithuania) |
| October 9, 2025 | Malta 0-4 Netherlands | National Stadium (Ta’Qali, Malta) |
| October 12, 2025 | Netherlands 4-0 Finland | Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam, Netherlands) |
| November 14, 2025 | Poland vs. Netherlands | Stadion Narodowy (Warsaw, Poland) |
| November 17, 2025 | Netherlands vs. Lithuania | Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam, Netherlands) |
Netherlands World Cup record
The Netherlands have finished as runners-up at the World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 2010. No team has ever lost so many finals without winning one. They were also beaten semifinalists in 1998 and 2014.
Overall, the Oranje have featured at 11 World Cups and reached the quarterfinals at Qatar 2022, having failed to qualify four years earlier.
Netherlands record at the World Cup
| Year | Stage reached | Host nation |
| 1930 | Did not enter | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Round of 16 | Italy |
| 1938 | Round of 16 | France |
| 1950 | Did not enter | Brazil |
| 1954 | Did not enter | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Did not qualify | Sweden |
| 1962 | Did not qualify | Chile |
| 1966 | Did not qualify | England |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Mexico |
| 1974 | Runners-up | West Germany |
| 1978 | Runners-up | Argentina |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Spain |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Mexico |
| 1990 | Round of 16 | Italy |
| 1994 | Quarterfinals | United States |
| 1998 | Fouth place | France |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Japan and South Korea |
| 2006 | Round of 16 | Germany |
| 2010 | Runners-up | South Africa |
| 2014 | Third place | Brazil |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Russia |
| 2022 | Quarterfinals | Qatar |
MORE: Revisiting the 1930 World Cup — the start of a sporting revolution
Netherlands World Cup schedule
Should they qualify, the Netherlands’ schedule at the 2026 will not be known until the World Cup draw, when the six groups are decided and pathways to the final become clearer.
When is the World Cup draw?
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5.
The ceremony is due to start at 12 p.m. local time (ET).
