The Netherlands, with three World Cup runner-up finishes, are not just expected to qualify for next year’s finals in North America, but Dutch influence is also extending beyond their national team.
They are likely to secure a spot in the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., while Dutch-born talent is aiding other nations in their quest for a first-time qualification.
Changes in single nationality laws have greatly expanded talent pools for Indonesia and Suriname, and the island nations of Cape Verde and Curaçao boast significant numbers of Dutch-born players.
Morocco, already qualified for the World Cup, draws from the Dutch migrant community, with regulars like Sofyan Amrabat and Noussair Mazraoui, the first to secure a 2026 spot from Africa.
Under coach Patrick Kluivert, Indonesia has added a Dutch touch, naturalizing over a dozen players as they aim for one of the remaining Asian spots, facing Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and Iraq on Saturday.
Though they played as the Dutch East Indies in 1938, independent Indonesia has never been closer to World Cup participation.
New players include Eliano Reijnders, the 24-year-old brother of Manchester City’s Tijjani, whose mother hails from the Maluku Islands.
Marc Klok, one of the first Dutch-born players with Indonesian citizenship due to family ties, notes significant improvements.
“We’re enhancing quality across all areas, thanks to the new international (Dutch) players. The growth in quality and professionalism compared to my first stint is remarkable,” he shared with Voetbal International magazine.
Notable Dutch players like Edgar Davids, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, and Clarence Seedorf have Suriname roots, but only recently did Suriname tap into the Dutch talent pool after allowing dual nationality five years ago.
Stanley Menzo, former Ajax Amsterdam and Netherlands goalkeeper, now coaches Suriname, featuring Dutch top-flight players Justin Lonwijk, Richonell Margareth, and Etienne Vaessen. Suriname leads their group and aims to maintain their position against Guatemala on Friday, with a crucial match against Panama next Tuesday.
Curaçao, part of the Netherlands, can lead their CONCACAF group by defeating Jamaica in Willemstad on Friday and securing a win over Trinidad Tobago on Tuesday.
“These results will indicate our World Cup potential,” said veteran coach Dick Advocaat, who has managed seven other national teams globally. In Africa, Cape Verde, influenced by Dutch talent, is nearing qualification.
They need three points from their last two matches against Libya on Wednesday and Eswatini on Monday.
Rotterdam hosts a large Cape Verdean community of 30,000, and six players from there are in the squad aiming to make history, following 24-year-old Dailon Livramento’s winning goal against Cameroon last month, bringing them close to qualification.
