The Dutch national team continues its World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday evening with a match against Malta. Using a number of statistics, VI looks ahead to the international fixture at De Euroborg.
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The Dutch national team returns to action on Tuesday evening as they host Malta in a vital World Cup qualifying match at De Euroborg in Groningen. Kick-off is set for 20:45 local time, and while on paper it may seem like a straightforward fixture, the match holds serious significance for Ronald Koeman’s side as they aim to keep pace in a tightly contested qualification group.
After beginning their campaign with a 2-0 win over Finland last Saturday, the Netherlands currently sits third in the group standings. However, their position is somewhat deceptive. Due to their participation in the UEFA Nations League finals back in March, Oranje has played fewer matches than most of their rivals. Despite that, the gap to first-placed Poland stands at only three points, meaning the Dutch have a golden opportunity to climb the table if they take advantage of their games in hand.
The qualification rules are clear: only the team that finishes first in the group earns an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team in second place will be forced to navigate the unpredictable play-off route something the Dutch would prefer to avoid, especially considering their turbulent history in recent qualifying campaigns. With this in mind, the match against Malta becomes far more than a formality; it's a test of discipline, focus, and goal-scoring efficiency.
Malta, while traditionally a footballing minnow, has proven difficult to break down in recent years. Their physical, compact defensive setup often forces opponents into frustration, and the Dutch must avoid underestimating their visitors. That said, anything less than a convincing win would be a disappointment, especially considering the quality and depth within Koeman’s squad.
There are also individual milestones and storylines to watch. Memphis Depay, who scored against Finland, now has 48 goals for the Netherlands, putting him just two behind Robin van Persie, the all-time top scorer in Dutch history. With another goal or two against Malta, Memphis could close that gap even further or potentially equal the record if he finds the net twice. It’s not just his goals that make Memphis vital with 101 caps to his name, he is now tied for ninth place in the all-time appearances list alongside Phillip Cocu. Should he feature again on Tuesday, he will match Giovanni van Bronckhorst in eighth with 102.
Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman has included some fresh faces in the squad. Goalkeepers Nick Olij and Kjell Scherpen are still waiting for their first appearance at international level, and a favorable match like this could offer the perfect low-pressure environment for one of them to debut. It’s part of Koeman’s broader strategy of integrating younger talent while still relying on experienced figures like Memphis, Virgil van Dijk, and Daley Blind.
Another milestone will be reached by defender Stefan de Vrij, who is set to earn his 75th cap for the national team. That number alone is impressive, but even more so is the fact that it has taken him 4,682 days nearly 13 years since his debut to reach it, the longest duration between debut and 75th cap in Dutch football history. It’s a testament to his resilience and continued importance across multiple managerial eras, despite often operating under the radar.
The match at De Euroborg will also be watched closely from a tactical perspective. Koeman is expected to field a strong starting XI, with an emphasis on controlling the match from the outset and breaking down Malta’s defense with patient build-up play. The use of wide players and overlapping full-backs could be key, as well as quick transitions from midfield to the final third. A clean sheet will also be a priority, not only to secure the win but to maintain defensive solidity ahead of tougher fixtures.
With the crowd in Groningen expected to be fully behind them, and with the chance to reduce the gap to Poland, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. The Netherlands has the talent, form, and motivation to get the job done but the pressure is there to not only win, but win convincingly.
As the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign picks up speed, matches like these are more than just checkpoints they’re tests of consistency and focus. And for Memphis Depay, Stefan de Vrij, and the rest of this Oranje side, Tuesday could mark another important step in their journey toward redemption on the world stage.
