The Dutch national team plays in the qualifying pool for the European Championship in Germany in 2024 against France. Due to the disappointing results in the Nations League, the 2018 world champion was in pot 2, as one of the strongest possible opponents of the Netherlands classified in pot 1. Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar have also been placed in Group B during the draw in Frankfurt. Only the numbers 1 and 2 of the group are certain of qualification for the prestigious country tournament.
The qualifying series will start in March 2023, about three months after the World Cup final in Qatar. It is difficult to predict what the situation will be in the Netherlands and France. France underperformed in the Nations League, finishing third behind Croatia and Denmark. But with coach Didier Deschamps’ squad bulging with world stars — Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba — the French are still one of the favorites in Qatar next month.
The last time the Netherlands and France met, in 2018, Orange was still led by Ronald Koeman. He is again at the helm in the qualifying series for the European Championship, when he has taken over from Louis Van Gaal, who will stop after the World Cup. Koemans team then won 2-0 in De Kuip in Rotterdam. The last encounters with Ireland (1-1) and Greece (2-1 loss) have been six years ago. The tiny Gibraltar was set aside last year with large numbers (6-0).