Netherlands 2026 World Cup Team Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions & Best Bets

By Phil West | May 15, 2026, 7:45pm

Best known for popularizing (if not inventing) total football, the Netherlands have been to the final base camp to the summit on three separate occasions, but not quite ever to the summit of World Cup Mountain. Following two straight finals appearances in 1974 and 1978, the Oranje reemerged in the tournament’s last match in 2010, only to fall short again.

While they’re not pegged as favorites this time around, the Oranje do come into the tournament with a No. 7 ranking and a group of experienced players. They also come into the tournament with a tougher group stage road than other Pot 1 beneficiaries and a potential trap of a Round of 32 match.

Netherlands 2026 World Cup Betting Odds

To Win World Cup:
To Reach Final:
To Reach Semifinal:
To Reach Quarterfinal:
To Win Group F:
To Advance From Group:
Group: Group F
FIFA Rank: 7

First-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) has the luxury of a solid defensive unit in front of him, including longtime captain Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United), and Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) among the choices.

The attackers and midfielders also bring considerable experience, with many having been part of the squad that got to the quarterfinals in 2022, knocking out the United States in the process.

That all adds up to Netherlands dealing with a decently difficult group stage — starting with an injury-riddled yet formationally-dangerous Japan, and then facing Viktor Gyökeres’ Sweden before a relatively light group stage closer in Tunisia. It’s entirely conceivable that Netherlands can win its group getting all nine points.

But thanks to Brazil and Morocco getting drawn into the same group, Netherlands could win the group and get the “reward” of either the No. 6 or No. 8 team in the world in Monterrey. That’s a recipe for Netherlands, sitting between those two teams in the World Cup rankings, being the best team bounced from the Round of 32 — or giving its opponent that ignoble distinction.

Netherlands 2026 World Cup Best Bet

Leaving the tournament exit and outcomes of the first four games behind for a moment, let’s consider who is going to get the most goals for the Oranje in 2026. Memphis Depay has struggled some with injury and is getting off to a relatively slow start with Corinthians this season — the Brazilian team he’s been with since 2024. Donyell Malen, who could get the nod at No. 9, has nearly a goal a game this season with Roma. But Gakpo might be the best combination of battle-tested and goal-dangerous. Goals from him might be the most known element of what we’re going to get from this team in 2026.

Best Bet: Leading Goalscorer, Cody Gakpo (+300)

Netherlands 2026 World Cup Players to Watch

Donyell Malen: With questions about Memphis looming, Malen could have the inside track on the starting No. 9 job, and thanks to Roma winning the Coppa Italia and seemingly getting a guarantee of Europa League football as a result, his future is less nebulous, as that development reportedly makes his January transfer from Aston Villa permanent. Being more settled on his club future — at a club for which he’s thriving — will likely give him confidence ahead of the World Cup.

Cody Gakpo: Though it’s been a challenging season for Gakpo at Liverpool — including talk of a shuffle that might send him out — he’s been one of the Oranje’s most reliable players in international tournaments, winning the Golden Boot (along with five other competitors) in the 2024 Euros with three goals. He also scored three goals in the 2022 World Cup — a performance that made him all the more attractive to Liverpool in the first place.

Virgil van Dijk: Speaking of Liverpool, van Dijk, still just 34, has been a model of consistency for both club and country, now in his ninth season with the Reds and being a national team selection since 2014, though he’s only featuring in his second World Cup, not having started play with the Oranj until 2015 and with his team surprisingly missing the ‘18 edition of the tourney. Towering and impressive both on and against the ball, van Dijk makes life difficult for opposing attackers.

Netherlands World Cup History

Dating back to 1934, Netherlands have been a regular presence at the World Cup for nearly the whole history of the tournament, with 2026 being its 12th appearance. Aside from the three final appearances, the Oranje have also finished third in 2014 and fourth in 1998, making the case for being the best all-time team without a star above the crest. In fact, they’ve never failed to progress from the group stages in 11 prior appearances.

Photo Credit: AP/Peter Dejong

Phil West

Phil West is a writer based in Austin, Texas, whose work has appeared in a wide range of outlets, including MLSSoccer.com, Backheeled, and Howler, as well as major publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Austin Chronicle, and San Antonio Express-News. He also wrote two books on soccer for The Overlook Press.