Kansas City (AFP) – Few observers tipped the Netherlands as potential World Cup winners, but a quietly efficient group-stage campaign has propelled them firmly into the conversation.
Issued on: 26/06/2026 - 21:24
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Ronald Koeman's team beat Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City on Thursday to top Group F with seven points, ahead of Japan and Sweden, who both also qualified for the knockout rounds.Next, the Dutch face Morocco in the Mexican city of Monterrey on Monday, with the winners of that last-32 match going on to face South Africa or Canada.It was put to Koeman after Thursday's game in the stormy American Midwest that they had done the hard part by topping their group, thus avoiding Brazil.But the head coach, who captained the Netherlands the last time the World Cup was held in the United States, in 1994, warned against thinking too far ahead."We need to prepare for Morocco first because it will be a big game," he said."It's a good team with a lot of quality, and they can score easily."The Netherlands, followed everywhere by their legions of orange-clad fans, are World Cup royalty but have never been crowned, finishing as runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
Netherlands forward Brian Brobbey has scored three goals at the 2026 World Cup so far © Francois Nel / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
