Honestly, if you watched the Netherlands women's soccer team back in 2017, you probably remember the orange-tinted euphoria. Total madness in the streets. A home-turf Euro title that felt like the start of a permanent dynasty. Then came the 2019 World Cup final. They lost to the US, sure, but they were there. They were the "it" team.
But things feel different now in early 2026.
If you’re looking at the FIFA rankings and seeing the Netherlands sitting at 11th, you might be scratching your head. This is a team that was 3rd in the world not that long ago. So, did the magic just evaporate? Not exactly. It’s more like a massive, messy renovation project that’s happening right in the middle of a high-stakes tournament cycle.
The Arjan Veurink Era: Why 2026 is the Turning Point
People keep asking about the coaching situation. Basically, we’re in the middle of the "Veurink Shift." After a disappointing exit at Euro 2025—where a 5-2 drubbing by France showed some pretty glaring holes in the defense—the KNVB (the Dutch FA) decided it was time for a familiar face to take the wheel.
Arjan Veurink is the name you need to know. He’s not a stranger; he was Sarina Wiegman’s right-hand man for years before following her to England. Bringing him back is a clear attempt to recapture that 2017 lightning in a bottle. He officially took over in late 2025 with one specific job: get this team ready for the 2027 World Cup.
He’s inherited a squad that is sort of caught between two worlds. On one hand, you have the legends like Sherida Spitse and Daniëlle van de Donk. On the other, there's a crop of teenagers who are technically gifted but haven't yet been forged in the fire of a major final.
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The Miedema Factor and the Scoring Problem
Let’s talk about Vivianne Miedema.
She is still the greatest goalscorer the Netherlands has ever produced—male or female. 104 goals. That’s a staggering number. But the reality is that the "Leeuwinnen" have struggled to find a Plan B when Miedema isn't 100% or when teams park the bus.
We saw it in the 0-0 draw against Poland late last year. They had all the possession, all the "total football" vibes, but zero clinical finish. It was frustrating to watch. Veurink has been experimenting with Lineth Beerensteyn and younger talents like Nina Nijstad to take the pressure off, but the chemistry is still a work in progress.
The 2026 Qualifying Gauntlet
The road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil is already underway, and the schedule for the Netherlands women's soccer team this year is brutal. If you're following the Oranje, circle these dates:
- March 3, 2026: Away at Poland. This is a massive "revenge" game after that scoreless draw.
- March 7, 2026: Home against the Republic of Ireland. Expect the Johan Cruijff Arena to be packed.
- April 14 & 18, 2026: The double-header against France.
That April window is the real litmus test. France is the team that knocked them out of the Euros last year. If Veurink’s new tactical setup—which seems to be moving toward a more fluid 4-3-3 with high-pressing wingbacks—doesn't hold up against the French speed, there’s going to be a lot of localized panic in the Dutch media.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the "Decline"
It’s easy to say the Netherlands got worse. It’s more accurate to say the rest of the world got much, much better.
Spain is playing on another planet right now. England has the resources of a small nation-state. Even teams like Iceland and Austria have closed the gap significantly. The Dutch advantage used to be their tactical maturity, but everyone has caught up to that.
The current "struggle" is actually a necessary evolution. The KNVB is pouring money into the Eredivisie Vrouwen, and you can see it in the way clubs like Ajax and Twente are performing in Europe. They’re producing players like Wieke Kaptein—a 20-year-old at Chelsea who plays like she’s 30.
The youth system is still a factory. The U-19s are consistently deep in European tournaments. The talent is there; the transition is just taking longer than the fans (and the media) would like.
The Defense: A Cause for Concern?
If there’s a "worry" section in this article, it’s the backline. Dominique Janssen is a rock, but she can’t do it all. The transition from the era of Stefanie van der Gragt has been rocky. We’ve seen Veurink trying out different combinations, including Chelsea’s Veerle Buurman, who is only 19 but has been thrown into the deep end.
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They’re conceding 1.67 goals per match on average lately. For a top-tier team, that's high. Too high. They need to find a settled center-back pairing before the April games against France, or it’s going to be a long spring.
How to Follow the Team This Year
If you're trying to keep up with the Oranje Leeuwinnen, don't just look at the scorelines. Watch the midfield.
The core of Jackie Groenen, Damaris Egurrola, and Victoria Pelova is where the games are won or lost. When they are clicking, the Netherlands looks like the best team in the world. When they get bypassed, the defense gets exposed.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the March qualifiers closely. If the Netherlands doesn't take 6 points from Poland and Ireland, the pressure on Veurink will reach a boiling point early.
- Keep an eye on the injury report for Vivianne Miedema. Her fitness level at Manchester City directly correlates to the national team’s success.
- Track the development of the Eredivisie Vrouwen. The strength of the domestic league is the best indicator of the national team's depth.
- Look for tactical shifts. Veurink is likely to move away from the rigid structures used by Andries Jonker toward a more "Dutch" style of total football.
The Netherlands women's soccer team isn't "over." They are just in the middle of a necessary identity crisis. Whether they emerge as contenders for 2027 or remain a "second-tier" powerhouse depends entirely on how these young defenders gel over the next six months.