Oranje qualify for 2026 World Cup with dominant 4–0 win over Lithuania

The Dutch national team secured qualification for next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on Monday with a dominant 4-0 victory over Lithuania in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The result ensured that Oranje finished atop Group G in the qualifying campaign.

The spectators in the not entirely sold-out Johan Cruijff ArenA celebrated the direct qualification with loud cheering, singing, and the occasional wave sweeping through the seats. Ronald Koeman and his squad, however, kept their emotions in check. In their view, topping a group with Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Malta was nothing more than their duty.

The Dutch side met expectations and will join the field of 48 at next summer’s World Cup, which will be held in three host nations. Despite being No. 6 in the FIFA rankings, Oranje’s qualifying run was inconsistent, marked by two draws with Poland and a tight victory in Lithuania. Yet their two Nations League clashes with Spain this year underlined that this team is capable of going toe-to-toe with top-tier opponents.

Koeman adjusted his starting XI in four spots from the Poland game. Nathan Aké returned at left back in place of Micky van de Ven, while Matthijs de Ligt partnered captain Virgil van Dijk in central defense, pushing Lutsharel Geertruida out of the lineup. Jurriën Timber shifted across to right back, the same role he fills at Arsenal.

In midfield, Tijjani Reijnders and Xavi Simons were brought in, replacing Ryan Gravenberch, who was left out, and Justin Kluivert, who was unavailable due to injury.

De Jong anchored the midfield and adopted a far more direct approach than in the Poland match, where he often carried the ball for long spells. The Barcelona playmaker released Cody Gakpo in the 12th minute and, only four minutes later, his intelligent through ball allowed Tijjani Reijnders to open the scoring. Right before the break, Timber nearly doubled the lead, but Lithuania keeper Edvinas Gertmonas kept him out.

Gakpo made it 2-0 from the spot in the 58th minute after an unfortunate handball by Artemijus Tutyskinas. Within another four minutes, goals from Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen stretched the lead to 4-0.

Koeman responded by rotating his squad, withdrawing key figures like Memphis Depay, De Jong, and Gakpo for some rest. He also introduced Luciano Valente, eligible through his Italian father and Dutch mother, for his first senior cap. Late on, Emmanuel Emegha nearly marked his appearance with a goal, threatening the Lithuanian defense three times.