Qualifications for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are beginning to heat up in Europe. Three of the five teams in Group G of the European qualifiers will be going home, and both the Netherlands and Poland will be hoping to be among the two that advance.
The Netherlands are -380 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +500. If you’re considering a Poland upset, they’re listed at +1100 on the moneyline.
Netherlands vs. Poland Prediction, Pick
The Dutch are one of the top sides in the world, and for good reason. Their top-to-bottom balance is impressive: attack vs. defense, experience vs. youth, talent vs. technical skill. They’re a tough side to categorize. Manager Ronald Koeman has an impressive list of players to choose from.
Virgil van Dijk, Jurrien Timber, Stefan de Vrij, Nathan Aké, and Matthijs de Ligt form a formidable core of defenders. Denzel Dumfries adds versatility as a wing-back/midfielder hybrid. The midfield is equally strong, featuring Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, and Xavi Simons. On the wings, Jeremie Frimpong and Cody Gakpo—Liverpool’s lethal duo—add pace and danger, while Memphis Depay remains a clinical finisher up front.
Already 2-0 in group play with a staggering 10-0 goal differential, a win here would put the Dutch in pole position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. However, they’ll need to contend with a Polish side that still boasts quality.
Poland, ranked 37th in the world according to FIFA, are currently on the bubble for 2026 qualification. Gone are the days when Robert Lewandowski’s firepower and a rock-solid defense could carry them through. Now, they need to piece things together more carefully.
The back line remains respectable, anchored by Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior. Matty Cash shifts between wing-back and midfield roles. Atalanta’s Nicola Zalewski could be a rising star on the flank, and while Lewandowski is in the twilight of his career, he’s still capable of producing moments of magic.
Presumed to be the second-best team in this group behind the Netherlands, Poland have already separated themselves from the bottom-tier teams (Lithuania and Malta) by four points. Earning a point or more from this contest would keep them on track to qualify. However, a loss complicates things—potentially leaving them one point behind Finland and even or worse on goal differential. It’s never ideal to be in catch-up mode in qualifying, especially after already losing to both teams ahead of you.
While both squads boast strong defenses, the Dutch attack should be able to carry the day, and Poland have shown they can generate quality chances through their first three games. I’m expecting a fair amount of scoring in this one.
