The Netherlands national football team has been paired with Hungary in the first round of the World Cup play-offs. The draw took place in Nyon on Thursday afternoon. If Oranje wins the first round, it will face the winner of the match between Turkey and Slovenia in the second round. The winner of the second play-off round will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Coach Arjan Veurink is positive about the draw, saying it's a draw with perspective and that Oranje needs to prepare well for the opponent. The English ex-international Anita Asante paired Oranje with Hungary in the first round. It's been almost twenty years since the two countries last faced each other. The Dutch team beat Hungary 4-0 on September 24, 2006. Karin Stevens scored a hat-trick in Zwolle. In the other three matches between the Netherlands and Hungary, Oranje always came out on top. Hungary finished the first qualifying round as the convincing winner of group 2 in the C-League. Notably, only the first match against last-placed Andorra ended in a draw. Hungary won the remaining five matches against Azerbaijan and North Macedonia. Oranje will play an away and then a home match against Hungary between October 5 and 13. The winner of that pair will advance to the second round of the play-offs, which will be played between November 24 and December 5 against Turkey or Slovenia. The winner of the second round will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The match dates, kick-off times, and locations will be announced later. The World Cup play-offs consist of two routes. The Netherlands follows Route 1, where the numbers 2 and 3 from the A-League of the first qualifying round are paired with the six group winners and the two best numbers 2 from the C-League. Via Route 2, the numbers 4 from the A-League and the four group winners from the B-League are paired with the numbers 2 and 3 from the B-League. The matches consist of a home and away match. Other countries participating in the play-offs include Turkey, Slovenia, and Azerbaijan. Oranje has a good chance of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup. But it won't be easy. Hungary is a strong opponent and Oranje will need to prepare well. In the coming weeks, Oranje will have to train hard to prepare for the play-offs. The Oranje selection is strong and has a lot of potential. But it's essential that Oranje doesn't focus too much on the opponent and also concentrates on its own strengths. The play-offs for the 2027 World Cup start on October 5 and last until December 5. Oranje will give everything to qualify for the World Cup. It's going to be an exciting time for Oranje and the fans.