Netherlands vs Sweden Key Stats: FIFA World Cup 2026
by Trystan Pugh ·
Below you can find key stats for Netherlands vs Sweden. From historical trends to player milestones, we have you covered for every match at FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada & Mexico!
- The only previous FIFA World Cup encounter between the Netherlands and Sweden was a 0-0 draw in the group stage at the 1974 edition.
- The two sides have met 25 times, with the Netherlands leading the head‑to‑head with 11 wins to Sweden’s eight, along with six draws. Their last major final tournament encounter was in the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2004 when the Dutch progressed via a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw.
- The Netherlands have lost only two of their 14 previous FIFA World Cup group stage matches (includes second group stage era) against European teams (W7 D5).
- Remarkably, the Netherlands have lost only two of their 34 group stage matches at the FIFA World Cup (including both first and second group phases). The only teams to beat them in group play are Scotland in 1978 and Belgium in 1994. They are currently unbeaten in their last 17 group stage games (W12 D5).
- The Netherlands have not lost a World Cup match in regular play since Spain edged them 1-0 in the 2010 final. Since then, across 13 games, they have recorded eight wins and five draws — the longest unbeaten run in their World Cup history. Their only eliminations in that span have come via penalty shootouts: first against Argentina in the 2014 semi‑finals, and again in the 2022 quarter‑finals.
- Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands’ head coach, made his international debut as a player against Sweden, in a 0-3 friendly defeat in Utrecht in April 1983. That was the only time he faced Sweden in 78 appearances for the Netherlands, and he has yet to encounter the Scandinavian side as Oranje’s head coach.
- Sweden’s FIFA World Cup record against European teams is P26 W9 D6 L11.
- Sweden have lost only one of their last 13 FIFA World Cup group matches (W6 D6).
- Sweden have only failed to score in one of their last 16 FIFA World Cup group matches.
- Sweden are aiming to start a FIFA World Cup campaign with successive wins for only the second time. The only time they achieved the feat was in 1958 when they hosted the competition.
- Sweden have opened the scoring in five of their last six fixtures at the FIFA World Cup.
- Viktor Gyökeres has scored 16 goals in his last 15 international appearances.
