Netherlands Set to Compete Against Poland and Finland in World Cup Qualifiers, While Spain Faces Off Against Türkiye

The Netherlands have steered clear of a rematch with EURO 2024 rivals Türkiye following their defeat to Spain in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals on Sunday.

After a gripping encounter that ended 3-3 after regular and extra time, the Netherlands succumbed 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

This loss means that ‘Oranje’ has been placed in Group G for the World Cup qualifying campaign. Consequently, they will face Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Malta in their pursuit of a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The three-time World Cup finalists are set to commence their qualifying journey on June 7th against Finland in Helsinki. Three days later, Malta will travel to the Netherlands, followed by a visit from Poland on September 4th. After this, the Dutch team will compete in away matches against Lithuania on September 7th and Malta on October 9th.

Finland will return to the Netherlands on October 12th, with ‘Oranje’ wrapping up their qualifying campaign with an away fixture in Poland on November 14th and a home contest against Lithuania on November 17th.

Spain to Face Turkey

Having triumphed in the quarter-finals, Spain will go up against Turkey, Bulgaria, and Georgia in Group E of the World Cup qualifiers.

The current European champions will kick off their qualification process with an away match in Bulgaria on September 4th and will play in Türkiye on September 7th. Spain will host their first qualifying fixtures at home on October 11th and 14th, welcoming Georgia and Bulgaria to the Iberian Peninsula.

‘La Roja’ will conclude their qualifying campaign with away fixtures in Georgia on November 15th, followed by a home match against Turkey on November 18th – the final day of the European qualifiers.

The twelve group winners will earn a spot at the World Cup, while the twelve second-placed teams will compete for the last four World Cup slots alongside four teams from the UEFA Nations League.