The most exciting time of the year has come for fans of the Netherlands: for the 11th time in the country's rich footballing history, Oranje are at the FIFA World Cup. The Netherlands, led by stars such as Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Denzel Dumfries, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo, are gunning for their first-ever world championship after three lost finals.
The most successful nation to never win the World Cup started their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Sunday, June 14th, with a game against Japan in Arlington, Texas. Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville made the country explode, but Oranje just fell short in the end as Japan snatched a point from the Dutch grip in the 89th minute.
With at least two more World Cup matches left, check out the Netherlands' full 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule right here.
The Netherlands’ World Cup 2026 schedule and results
During the FIFA World Cup draw in December 2025, the Netherlands were drawn into Group F with Japan, Tunisia, and Sweden.
The Netherlands' full FIFA World Cup schedule is as follows:
Sunday, June 14th: The Netherlands - Japan (2-2)
Saturday, June 20th: The Netherlands - Sweden (12.00 AM CST local time, 19.00 CET)
Friday, June 26th: Tunisia - The Netherlands (06.00 PM CST local time, 01.00 CET on Friday, June 26th)
Check out the full 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule in our article HERE >
Where the Netherlands play their FIFA World Cup games?
The Netherlands and Japan played their first 2026 FIFA World Cup match on Sunday, June 14th, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. AT&T Stadium, which will be named Dallas Stadium throughout the tournament for sponsorship reasons, is the home of the Dallas Cowboys from the NFL and houses 94,000 fans.
The Netherlands and Sweden will face off in NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. NRG Stadium, a 72,000-capacity stadium that will be named Houston Stadium during the FIFA World Cup, is the home of the Houston Texans from the NFL.
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO, will be the stage for the Netherlands' final group-stage game against Tunisia. The iconic 73,000-capacity stadium in downtown Kansas City is normally used by the four-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, and holds the record for the world’s loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium, with a roar measuring 142.2 dbA was recorded in September 2014 during an NFL game between the Chiefs and the New England Patriots.
The Netherlands’ FIFA World Cup knockouts schedule
If the Netherlands win Group F, they will face the runners-up in Group C, which consists of Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti. This round-of-32 game would take place on Monday, June 29th, 2026, in Monterrey, Mexico. Kick-off is set at 09.00 PM local time (03.00 CET on Tuesday, June 30th).
With a second-place finish in Group F, the Netherlands will face the winners of Group C. This matchup would take place on Monday, June 29th, at 12.00 AM (19.00 CET) in Houston, TX.
With a third-place finish in Group F, the Netherlands could advance as one of the best third-placed teams in the tournament.
The Netherlands’ FIFA World Cup preparation
In preparation for the FIFA World Cup, Oranje play friendly matches against fellow FIFA World Cup teams Norway, Ecuador, Algeria, and Uzbekistan.
The warm-up schedule looks as follows:
Friday, March 27th: The Netherlands - Norway (2-1)
Tuesday, March 31st: The Netherlands - Ecuador (1-1)
Wednesday, June 3rd: The Netherlands - Algeria (1-2)
Monday, June 8th: The Netherlands - Uzbekistan (2-1)