“Of course we owe it to our position to qualify, but there was a time when it did not work out with big players (for example in 1986, 2002 and 2018, ed.). I think we should appreciate it,” De Jong responded at the NOS. The Dutch team is present at a World Cup for the 12th time.
The Dutch team qualifies for the World Cup after a goal celebration against Lithuania
The Dutch national team previously participated in 1934, 1938, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. The finals were lost in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
“There were good things going on today and the phase after the break was nice for the crowd (the Dutch team scored three times in a short time, ed.). It also ebbed away a bit at a certain point. We have been placed. Now it really starts. We are going to arrive at the World Cup as much as possible and as well as possible,” De Jong looked ahead.
Valentijn Driessen: ‘Nigel de Jong and Clarence Seedorf must quickly reveal their colours: Ronald Koeman or Peter Bosz boss Oranje after the 2026 World Cup’
What can the Dutch team do at the World Cup?
The FC Barcelona midfielder did not think it was necessary to speculate about the opportunities in North America next summer. “I find that difficult to say. There are many good countries. We also have a good team and we want to win. There is no point in saying that you are the favorite.”
| Position | Team | P | GS | W | V | G | DS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | +23 | |
| 2 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +7 | |
| 3 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | -6 | |
| 4 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | -15 | |
| 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 3 | -9 |

