Netherlands Aims for World Cup Spot Against Finland This Sunday

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — The Netherlands will try to secure its spot in the 2026 World Cup as it hosts Finland on Sunday, October 12, at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The match marks a crucial point in the qualifying campaign, with the Dutch sitting atop UEFA Group G.

Currently, the Netherlands leads the group with 13 points from five matches, having won four and drawn one. Ronald Koeman’s side aims to extend its three-point lead over the competition. A recent 4-0 victory against Malta has bolstered their confidence, with Memphis Depay scoring two goals to break the Netherlands’ all-time scoring record. He now has 52 goals, surpassing Robin van Persie.

In their previous encounter, the Netherlands defeated Finland 2-0 in Helsinki four months ago, marking Finland’s fifth consecutive loss against the Dutch. Finland sits third in the group with 10 points and is still in contention for a playoff position. Under coach Jacob Friis, Finland has shown resilience, including a notable win against Poland.

Finland needs a strong performance in Amsterdam to maintain its hopes for qualification. The match is set to kick off at 6:00 p.m. local time and will be broadcast live on FS1 and available for streaming on various platforms.

Every opportunity counts for both teams as they navigate the challenges of World Cup qualifying. The stakes are high: the Dutch seek automatic qualification while the Finns fight to keep their dreams alive. Fans can expect an intense match as both teams battle for a crucial win.