Netherlands National Football Team
The Netherlands National football team has been around since the founding of FIFA. The squad features the best Dutch footballers currently playing the game. The team has a storied past, two big rivals, and a loyal fan base. Many view the Dutch as a major contender in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Keep reading for more info on the Netherlands national football team.
Netherlands National Football Team
Known by their fans as Oranje or Het Nederlands Elftal, the Netherlands national football team has been competitive throughout its long history. The team has reached second place in the FIFA World Cup three times and has one European Championship title. They have also taken bronze medals three times in the Olympics. The team is run by the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), which is a member of UEFA. The team’s nickname Oranje refers to the House of Orange-Nassau, which is the current reigning house of the Netherlands. Their fan club is called Het Oranje Legioen, or the Orange Legion, and the team plays at four different home stadiums: the Johan Cruyff Arena, De Kuip, Philips Stadion, and De Grolsch Veste.
Basic Info:
- Nickname: Oranje, Holland, Clockwork Orange, The Flying Dutchmen
- Association: Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond (KNVB)
- Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
- Head coach: Louis van Gaal
- Home Stadiums: Johan Cruyff Arena, De Kuip, Philips Stadion, De Grolsch Veste
- FIFA code: NED
- World Cup Appearances: 11 (first in 1934)
- Best World Cup Result: Second place (1974, 1978, 2010)
Social Media:
2022 World Cup Roster
| NAME | POS |
|---|---|
| Alphonse Areola | G |
| Remko Pasveer | G |
| Andries Noppert | G |
| Justin Bijlow | G |
| Virgil van Dijk | D |
| Nathan Ake | D |
| Jeremie Frimpong | D |
| Stefan de Vrij | D |
| Daley Blind | D |
| Matthijs de Ligt | D |
| Tyrell Malacia | D |
| Jurrien Timber | D |
| Denzel Dumfries | D |
| Frenkie de Jong | M |
| Davy Klassen | M |
| Xavi Simons | M |
| Steven Berghuis | M |
| Marten de Roon | M |
| Kenneth Taylor | M |
| Teun Koopmeiners | M |
| Memphis Depay | F |
| Steven Bergwijn | F |
| Cody Gakpo | F |
| Wout Weghorst | F |
| Vincent Janssen | F |
| Luuk de Jong | F |
| Noa Lang | F |
History
One of the older international clubs, the Netherlands national football team played its first official match against Belgium in Antwerp in 1905. Their first tournament was the 1908 London Olympics. The Dutch finished third, losing to England and then defeating Sweden in the bronze-medal match. Their first FIFA World Cup appearance was in 1934 when they were eliminated in the opening round by Switzerland.
After a post-war slump, the Netherlands team rose to power in the 1970s, thanks to the tactical “total football” system pioneered by Ajax and implemented by coach Rinus Michels. They finished runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups. After another slump in the 80s, the Dutch returned to form, winning the 1988 UEFA European Championship. They have been competitive throughout the 2000s, reaching the semi-final in two UEFA European Championships and third place in the 2014 World Cup. After failing to qualify in 2018, the Netherlands qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where many hope they may finally take home the trophy.
Rivalries
The main rivalries of the Netherlands national football team are with neighbors Belgium and Germany. Their rivalry with the Belgians is much older than that with the Germans. Known as the Low Countries derby, the fixture between the teams has been held over 125 times since their first unofficial match in 1901. The Dutch hold the edge over the Belgians in total head-to-head wins. However, Belgium has a World Cup title, which the Dutch do not. Although the Dutch have played the Germans since 1910, the rivalry between the teams was ignited in 1974, when the Dutch lost the World Cup final to West Germany. Both teams have been highly-rated in past years, and Germany has a slight edge in head-to-head matches.
Kits
The Netherlands national football team is known for their home uniforms featuring bright-orange shirts, shorts, and socks. Orange is the historic color of the Netherlands. Their away shirts are black, and they also utilize an all-blue alternate uniform. Their shirts feature a crest with a lion, which is the Netherlands’ royal and national animal. Nike has been the official uniform supplier of the Netherlands national football team since 1996.
Fun Facts
- 11 World Cup appearances, with three second-place finishes.
- 10 UEFA European Championship appearances with one win (1988).
- Three-time Olympic bronze medalists (1908, 1912, 1920).
- Runners-up at 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals
- The Netherlands National Soccer Team is a member of the UEFA.
- Their fan club is called Het Oranje Legioen.
FAQ
Has the Netherlands ever won the World Cup?
The Netherlands has never won the World Cup. However, the national team has been runners-up in three World Cup tournaments: 1974, 1978, and 2010. They also achieved a third-place finish in 2014 in Brazil. The Netherlands’ best finish in a major tournament was their UEFA European Championship title in 1988.
Who is the Netherlands’s best player?
Virgil van Dijk is the Netherlands’ best player. The center-back also plays for Liverpool in the English Premier League and is considered one of the best soccer defenders in the world. Van Dijk is the only defender to ever win UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, and he has finished runner-up for the Best FIFA Men’s Player and the Ballon d’Or. Over 49 international caps, the defender has scored an impressive six goals.
Who is the Netherlands’s all-time scorer?
The Netherlands’ all-time scorer is Robin van Persie, with 50 goals over 102 international appearances. Now an assistant manager at his boyhood club, Feyenoord, van Persie played for the Dutch squad for 12 years. Van Persie was considered one of the best strikers of his generation, known for his positioning and ball control.