Two games to go — and it’s looking good for Oranje. The next week will decide whether the Netherlands officially books its ticket to the 2026 World Cup, or if we’ll need to wait a little longer for confirmation. But honestly, with the form we’re in, it already feels like we’re almost there.
First the away game against Poland
Next Friday, November 13, the Netherlands faces Poland away. It’s a tough trip, but the situation couldn’t look much better for us. We’re three points ahead of Poland and sitting on a +13 goal difference — a serious cushion at this stage of the campaign. Poland will give it everything, of course, but the Dutch have shown time and again that when the stakes are high, this team knows how to deliver.
PGE Narodowy stadion Poland
There’s confidence in the camp and a real sense of togetherness. The defense has been solid, the midfield looks composed, and the attack is finally finding rhythm with Gakpo, Memphis and Malen. If Oranje play to their strengths — keeping possession, using width, and staying calm under pressure — it’s hard to see Poland turning things around. A win on Friday could all but seal qualification.
Home to finish it off against Lithuania
And then comes the final match on November 17: the home game against Lithuania. With all respect, it’s the kind of fixture you want to close out a qualification campaign. Lithuania have just three points from seven matches, and they’ve struggled throughout. In Amsterdam, with the home crowd behind us, you’d expect a professional and convincing performance to finish the job in style.
What’s encouraging is not just the results but the attitude. This Dutch team looks mature — there’s less drama, more focus. Players seem to understand their roles, and there’s a quiet belief running through the squad. You can sense that they’re not getting carried away, but they know they’re close.
The selection for the 2 games
National coach Ronald Koeman has called up Luciano Valente to the Dutch national team for the first time. Matthijs de Ligt will also be back in for the first time in a long time. This time no Frimpong as he is injured.
The folowing players are selected:
Let’s finish the job
For fans, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for: seeing Oranje not just qualify, but do it with authority. The pieces are coming together — strong leadership at the back, creativity in midfield, and sharp finishing up front. Too bad we don´t have van Gaal to help us win the big cup .
So, two matches left. Six points still on the table. One last push to make sure everything is official. If all goes as expected, we’ll soon be celebrating another World Cup qualification — one that feels earned, built on hard work and confidence rather than luck.
The dream of seeing Oranje on the world stage again is just around the corner. Let’s finish the job.
It’s already in the bag. Even if they loss or draw both. They still will qualify. Maybe a draw vs Poland and win vs Lithuania.
Is there any consequences of finishing second??
Play-offs against another team that became second, like Italy…..
I was under the impression top two in the group qualify directly and third place playoff decides the third best team.
Only the group winner automatically qualifies. Second place team goes into playoffs.
@ Jan,
Gakpo, is no longer a starter. Is it because he is injured? HAHAHHHAHA
Like I said, we are going to a WC where 1/2 if not more players of this team are not even starters in their clubs and that’s a problem.
Gakpo didn’t start a couple of games. That is normal in big teams. Players are rested. This happens everywhere and with most players (except a couple). Virgil plays everything usually, but fitness and form come into play.
I don’t get the HHAHAHAHAHA. Is that because you think you made a very intelligent point??
Koeman will have a line up with mostly starters and many coaches are not fuzzed bringing in players who haven’t played that much, as managing the vibe in the squad is key during a tournament. Michels took Koevermans and Cruzen and Suvrijn to the Euros in 1988 because they would not give the coach headaches.
Joey Veerman was mentioned by Koeman during the presser. He is not part of the squad “because you also look at the dynamics in the squad”. Veerman is known to be a cynical guy with a razorsharp tongue. If he doesn’t play, he is an issue.
Btw, our hero in 1988 was Marco van Basten. He hadn’t played at all before the Euros.
Do better Jean, study the game.
@Jan ..ha haha Gakpo will be resting on bench from here onwards.
Veerman is np where near NT level,he has to prove in EPL at least..
The World Cup draw will take place on December 5th in Washington. As usual, the teams will be divided into pots. The three host countries are already guaranteed a spot in pot 1, and the remaining nine group heads are the highest-ranked countries in the FIFA rankings.
The Netherlands is currently sixth in the monthly rankings, more than enough for group head status. The final FIFA rankings before the draw, which will include the upcoming results, will be announced on November 19th. A failure to beat Lithuania, ranked 146th, will certainly cost the Netherlands a significant number of points.
According to the current rankings, the Netherlands would be crowned group heads by European champions Spain, world champions Argentina, France, England, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium, and Germany.
If we are tied on points with Poland, the head to head record is the 1st tiebreaker? or is it goal differential? That could be risky.if it’s the former. We should at least secure a draw in Poland on Friday. But in the unfortunate instance that we lose, but still win vs Lithuania, we would be tied on points, but Poland would get the automatic qualification?
Anyways, I’m cautiously optimistic that it won’t come to that. We need to make sure Lewandowski is under constant surveillance and marked man to man. I’m not a believer in zone defense when you have a single difference maker in the opposition. We have enough quality in Van Dijk and Van de Ven to keep him in check.
As far as individual players, I would have thought, Gapko would take the next step and be more elite, more accurate, and more effective, but I still feel like he lacks something. He still scores goals and an important player. I really don’t see him as winger in the long run. With our lack of quality striker/center-forward, I believe he should just transition there and make that position his own. He has the size and physicality to do so. Unfortunately, at the club level, Liverpool now has two strikers, so it will be difficult for him to play there. Maybe transition more centrally to attacking midfielder.
Glad to see De Ligt coming back to the team. I’m still hesitant on him. I will not start him over Van Dijk just yet, and definitely not over Van de Ven.
Reijnders was doing great earlier in the season, but somehow dropped off. Guardiola is not an easy manager to please. You need to have your world class form every game, so he may be on the bench if others are doing better. I would still pick him over Kluivert or anybody else on the team to play alongside De Jong and Gravenbech. I still do feel this team lacks a strong enforcer, disruptor, and ball winner in midfield like Davids or Van Bommel or Nigel, in the past. Gravenbech needs to toughen up a bit because I don’t see De Jong or Rejinders in that role.
Anyways, my biggest concern is in offense. Glad to see Memphis is at least in better form. I’m not convinced of Malen. And Gapko is great on his day, but needs more accuracy in his finishing and consistency in his overall performance.
Sorry, if this comes off as a bit cautious or pessimistic, nothing personal.Just my observation. I still do believe this team has enough quality to put the likes of Poland away, but then again, this is Oranje where anything is possible.
Hi @Forza, yes it is it goal differential. It would be good to win both games as it will make us group head as next month is the draw. Also will give a boast in the moral I guess….
To be honnest, its just Poland, with our quality we should crush them….
Emmanuel Emegha has been called up to the Dutch national team for the first time. The 22-year-old Strasbourg striker’s selection is due to the physical condition of Wout Weghorst, who may not be available for the World Cup qualifier against Poland.
thats a good call by koeman,Meerdink has fibula fracture,it takes months to heal,then he has to find rythem,so he is out for WC i think..Then we have half fit Memphis whom we dont know will be fit for intense game at WC in USA heat…Then Weghorst ,he should not be starting at all,he is just last 10 minute player…i wish Gakpo converts to Center like RVP..Gakpo has good headers as well,i think he can do the job at higher level..emegha would be a good back up at bench…
Good news..
our boys Geetruida ,Brobbey and Roefs are becoing superstars of sunderland..Brobbey has only scored once in EPl.but what a gaol..His off the ball work rate is nuisance for opponents,he does not give bretahing time for defenders..
Geetruida is playing LCB,,he is so press resistant that he initiate build up from back and steps in to mid from back..Massive performance from him..
Geetruida and Timber shoould be locked for right full back..what a quality we have..
De ligt and Van hecke are lock for RCB
Vrigil and van de ven are lock for LCB
Ake/Hato and hartmann are lock for LB…thats our team defense
Roefs is better than Verbruggen ,i think we should start Roefs over verbruggen,he gives me the donarumma vibe,Buffon vibe…You cannot score against Roefs with ordinary shots…