Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026: The Dutch Are Back and Ready to Finish the Job

Football has seen some remarkable teams from the Netherlands in history who haven't won the World Cup. Three times: 1974, 1978, and 2010 they have gone down in the finals, never winning. The greatest players to represent them include: Total Football, Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Arjen Robben. These are some of the best names who ever played the game but no Dutchman has yet lifted the World Cup trophy, which has eluded them so many times.

The Dutch side which will take part in this 2026 edition in North America will want a different ending. After winning their group in FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers without losing a game, The Netherlands will enter the World Cup 2026 ranked among the top ten sides in the world with coach Ronald Koeman in charge. A solid group with good leadership will be led by defender Virgil van Dijk and an experienced midfield will have Frenkie de Jong (if he's fit). Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons provide two players of international experience in attack who can change the game at the highest level. World Cup 2026 Tickets will have to be bought by Dutch fans who make this trip as a group of thousands in orange because fixtures for Oranje have always sold out and will again.

Can the Netherlands Be Winners in 2026?

The arguments for the Netherlands being a winner are: Van Dijk at the back; de Jong when fit is a very capable player for the top players in the world in the midfield and Gakpo is a player who has improved in his game and is a player to watch as he can deliver the goals, assists and power needed in wide areas having done well for the Netherlands in Qatar 2022. In addition, this Dutch side has more unity at Koeman's helm when compared to others that he previously managed, which have not been as internally harmonious and tactically fluid in the past, and so too has the Dutch campaign in World Cup 2026 qualifying, in which they claimed first position in their group without having lost a match.

In the 2026 tournament they have a draw that gives them a shot at reaching the semi-finals. If they can overcome any injuries and bring consistency, which has proven lacking in previous Dutch generations at the final hurdle, they could still complete the task and dispel 48 years of World Cup agony. All the pieces are in place here and it might be as close as we have seen since 2010.

Visas for Dutch Fans Travelling to North America

Dutch fans can easily travel to all three host countries.

USA: The Netherlands is a member of the United States Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), meaning Dutch citizens do not need to apply for a traditional visitor visa to the US for stays of up to 90 days. However, before flying to the US an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is required. This is applied for online, incurs a fee, and usually takes just minutes to be processed but applying way ahead of time is sensible. There is a dedicated page on the US Department of State website for World Cup visitors at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas which covers all the requirements for visiting the US and has specific information for the tournament. Your passport must be a valid biometric passport.

Canada: Dutch citizens can visit Canada without a visa for up to six months. If arriving by air, a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is required, which you apply for online. It usually takes minutes for the eTA to be approved. Canada has a sizeable community with Dutch ancestry across provinces including Ontario and British Columbia which will be a useful stop off point for those using a Canadian city en-route to the USA.

Mexico: You do not need to apply for a visitor visa if you are a Dutch citizen and wish to travel to Mexico for a stay of up to 180 days. Visiting Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey requires no extra paperwork. Dutch fans should have an easy time entering these cities to enjoy the start of the tournament.

Which Are the Host Cities Dutch Fans Should Consider?

It is expected that the Netherlands will face their opening three opponents in the US, while the knockout rounds will possibly see Oranje take on teams at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, AT&T Stadium, Dallas, and Levi's Stadium, San Francisco. The World Cup Final will be played at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

New York/New Jersey: The New York region (including New Jersey) is the most likely destination for Dutch fans on the east coast. Dutch fans in North America have deep roots in the New York area. It was originally named New Amsterdam by Dutch settlers in the 17th century and there is still a sizeable Dutch-ancestry community in the region. As the New York region is hosting the World Cup Final it will be an essential destination for any Dutch fan hoping to see Oranje lift the trophy.

Los Angeles boasts superb infrastructure, great summer weather and SoFi Stadium, one of the best host venues. It's also an international city with a sizeable European diaspora, so the Dutch will feel right at home on their travels.

San Francisco/Bay Area is hosting in Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium and the Bay Area has plenty of nearby accommodation, bars and food as well as good transport links for matches.

Where to Stay

Accommodation close to venues is in high demand, so here is a quick city-by-city breakdown:

New York/New Jersey: East Rutherford and Secaucus will be your best bets if you want to be close to MetLife Stadium. Of course, Manhattan will offer the classic NY experience and, especially later in the competition when the stakes rise, will be much more expensive; but direct match-day NJ Transit trains to the stadium make it a viable option. The wider Hudson Valley area, north of New York City, still feels like Dutch territory and may offer a unique cultural experience.

Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood, with El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey being the most convenient nearby places to stay — and they all connect to SoFi via the Metro K Line.

San Francisco/Bay Area: Stay in Santa Clara, San Jose or Palo Alto and you'll be close to Levi's Stadium; if you stay in San Francisco itself, you can take the Caltrain.

Dallas: Arlington hosts the AT&T Stadium in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth, while downtown will offer a better multi-day stay in terms of accommodation, bars and restaurants. However, Arlington is the right call if you're only going to stay for a day for the match.

Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia will enable free cancellations for the duration. Your accommodation needs might change once you know what matches to expect in the Netherlands' knockout path.

How to Get There and From One City to Another

Dutch fans can arrive into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of Europe's busiest, with direct flights to New York's JFK, Los Angeles' LAX, or San Francisco's SFO airports and connecting flights to Dallas/DFW and Miami via KLM, Delta, United or American Airlines. The airport's high connectivity also means you'll have little difficulty getting there no matter where in the country you live.

Fare prices for flights from Amsterdam into the US have gone up as the tournament approaches; booking flights sooner rather than later is definitely advised if you have not done so already. You can easily get between all US host cities on frequent flights with Southwest, Delta and American Airlines, meaning multi-leg travel is a practical option. If you are travelling between cities on your trip, take care to leave a buffer day between each destination if possible.

Tickets

Official tickets for the FIFA 2026 World Cup are sold via FIFA.com, so it's the best place to start if you want to check what tickets or hospitality are left, view official resale opportunities or check out packages. If your ideal spots are sold out at official sources, steer clear of Reddit discussions, Facebook fan communities, and other social media avenues. Buy only through resellers such as Ticombo, Seatpick or any other reputable, verified resellers who promise a ticket to you for every booking. Expect to pay more than face value on the secondary market. If buying for a group, make sure to plan ahead as they won't all sit together and each stadium will be laid out differently.

Useful Info for Oranje Fans

Dollar or Euro: Venues and host cities only use Dollars. You could go to an airport kiosk, but ATMs and companies like Wise will give you a better Euro to USD exchange.

Phone plans: Most standard Dutch phone SIM cards won't give you US roaming for a reasonable cost. eSIMs such as Airalo or short-term T-Mobile tourist SIM cards are most viable.

Medical care: The US has no national health service for visitors so it is essential to purchase a comprehensive health plan before departure. European cards don't work here.

Netherlands Consulates: The Netherlands maintains consulates in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Chicago, and San Francisco. Store the emergency numbers of the consulate closest to your stadium.

Weather in the States: July in Dallas and Miami is intensely hot and humid. Los Angeles is warm and dry. Conditions are significantly different from a Dutch summer; stay hydrated in outdoor fan zones, particularly during afternoon matches.

Oranje Conclusion

This group arrives in North America at the 2026 tournament with their final team, experienced management and has players who have been developing towards this point for the better part of a decade. No story is more haunting in Dutch football than the defeats of 1974, 1978 and 2010. This generation has everything needed to write the final chapter.

Those wishing to watch live should do so without delay. Netherlands World Cup 2026 Tickets are highly desired and there is a very real chance for them to be snapped up through reputable resellers as we near June 2026.

Oranje are coming. 48 years might well be the time.

Entry rules, hotel availability, flight costs and ticket rules are subject to change. Fans should check with relevant government agencies, the official website of FIFA and their flight carrier to be absolutely sure when making travel plans. Secondary market ticket prices may exceed face value.