Finland vs Netherlands Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (UEFA)

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Finland have started European qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup steadily as they now welcome Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki this weekend.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports

How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Disney+

Key stats

• The Netherlands have won 11 of the previous 14 international matches between these teams (D2 L1). Finland’s only success was all the way back in 1950 when they won 4-1 in a friendly in Helsinki.
• Finland have lost only three of their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches (W6 D5).
• The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last nine World Cup qualifying matches (W7 D2).
• The Netherlands have kept six clean sheets in their last nine World Cup qualifying matches.
• Memphis Depay has scored 12 goals in his last eight appearances in World Cup qualifying.

Finland vs Netherlands prediction

Finland have begun a new era in the last year or so with Jacob Friis replacing Markku Kanerva in the dugout. During the March international break, the so-called Eagle-Owls edged past ten-man Malta by a goal to nil away from home before then sharing an entertaining 2-2 draw with Lithuania in Vilnius a few days’ later.

They now face a Netherlands side that most recently suffered a dramatic and entertaining defeat to European and defending champions Spain in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League in March. After a 2-2 draw in Amsterdam, they then shared a 3-3 draw in Valencia in the second-leg before losing by five goals to four on penalties.

Finland have perhaps been a little more open under Friis but that has hurt their results and the Netherlands will be expected to win this one quite comfortably in northern Europe.

Finland vs Netherlands tip: Netherlands to win -1 handicap