If not counting penalty shootouts, the last time the Dutch team suffered defeat at the World Cup was still the 2010 final, when they lost to Spain 0-1 after extra time. At that time, Lamine Yamal was not yet 3 years old, and Virgil van Dijk had not yet played professionally.
For Oranje fans, the most painful memory is still Iker Casillas's foot save against Arjen Robben's shot in the second half. A few minutes later, Andres Iniesta scored the decisive goal in extra time, bringing the first world championship to Spain.
Since then, the Netherlands has gone through a 12-match unbeaten streak at the World Cup if not counting penalty shootouts, with 8 wins and 4 draws. They were twice eliminated by Argentina on penalties in 2014 and 2022, while missing out on the 2018 World Cup.
Only Brazil once had a longer unbeaten streak at the World Cup with 13 consecutive matches from 1958 to 1966. Although they have never raised the gold cup, the Netherlands is still considered the most successful team in the group of countries that have not won the World Cup. Oranje has won the runner-up three times and reached the semi-finals in 5/11 times participating in the biggest football festival on the planet.
Coach Ronald Koeman faces a big challenge
World Cup 2026 will be Ronald Koeman's first major tournament as head coach of the Netherlands.
This is also a tournament of special significance for the 63-year-old strategist. The opening match of Oranje against Japan took place in Dallas - where he had his last match for the national team in the defeat against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals.
As of before the 2026 World Cup, Koeman has led the Netherlands in 60 matches. If Oranje finishes the group stage, he will equal Louis van Gaal's 63 match milestone, only behind legend Bob Glendenning.
However, the Dutch coach is still not reassured about the force. The injuries of Xavi Simons, Stefan de Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt or the fact that many players have just returned after a long period of absence such as Jurrien Timber, Justin Kluivert and Memphis Depay make the preparation process quite difficult.
Koeman always values stability and reliability in personnel selection. This is reflected in the fact that there are up to 16 players in the list of 26 people playing in the Premier League. Only the England team owns more representatives of this league.
Notably, in the Netherlands' 2026 World Cup squad list, there are only Guus Til and Wout Weghorst playing football in the Eredivisie. This is the lowest number in the country's World Cup history.
Chance to break the jinx
Oranje's ambitions in North America rest on the shoulders of five pillars including Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo and Denzel Dumfries.
If personnel are in the best condition, the Netherlands is likely to play with a squad including Van Dijk and Jurrien Timber in the center of defense, Dumfries and Micky van de Ven on both wings.
In the midfield, De Jong will be alongside Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch. Meanwhile, the attack is expected to make a difference with Depay, Gakpo and Donyell Malen.
After three defeats in the World Cup final, the Netherlands continues to enter the tournament with the position of a potential candidate. And if Oranje finally touches the first gold cup in history, the biggest mark will certainly belong to the group of 5 pillars that Koeman is placing his full trust in.
