The Netherlands were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32, losing to Morocco on penalties. The match in Monterrey ended 1-1 before the Dutch side fell short in the shootout, as reported by Squawka.
Manager Ronald Koeman's team had enjoyed a strong group stage. They topped their group with seven points from three games. Their recent form remains impressive, with four wins and a draw in their last five matches. The last result was that 1-1 draw against Morocco on June 30. The next major test is scheduled for September 24, a home fixture against Germany.
How did the Netherlands perform in the group stage?
The Dutch showed consistency in the World Cup group phase. With two wins and a draw, they secured a full seven points. This resulted in first place in their pool. During tournament qualification, the team already displayed strong statistics. They averaged 17.4 shots per game, with 6.5 on target. Defensively, they limited opponents to around seven shots per match. You can view the full standings for the current position.
Who were the key attacking players?
Brian Brobbey emerged as a dangerous striker. His brace against Sweden, scored in Houston, tripled his international goal tally. He is considered a serious contender for the Golden Boot. Memphis Depay remains the nation's record goalscorer and is the primary penalty taker. In the creative department, Frenkie de Jong is indispensable. The Barcelona midfielder created 18 chances in World Cup qualifying, averaging 3.1 per ninety minutes. His performances at Euro 2024 demonstrated his readiness for this World Cup.
How was the defense structured?
Virgil van Dijk served as the defensive anchor. The Liverpool captain averaged 2.8 tackles and 5.2 interceptions per game in qualifying. Alongside him, young talent Jorrel Hato, who moved to Chelsea last summer, earned minutes. This defender can operate at left-back and centre-back. The team typically deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation under Koeman, with Depay spearheading the attack. Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo took free kicks, while Denzel Dumfries was on corner duty.
What does this exit mean for the future?
The disappointment is significant, but the team has proven its quality. With a World Cup win percentage of 54.5%, the Netherlands historically rank third, behind only Brazil and Germany. They hold the best win percentage of any team not to have won the tournament. The squad boasts a strong Premier League presence and plenty of young talent. The focus now shifts to the next assignment. Preparations for Euro 2028 begin with the friendly against Germany. Fans can follow the upcoming fixtures and the composition of the squad for further developments.
