Netherlands' failure to reach the 2018 World Cup was a dramatic slide from successive last-four spots in 2010 and 2014.
However, the Oranje have looked revived following the return of Louis van Gaal to the national side, after Frank de Boer's post-Euro 2020 departure.
Van Gaal has confirmed his intention to leave the job after the World Cup, with Ronald Koeman returning, due to the former's cancer diagnosis this year.
That has created an increased sense of togetherness within the Dutch camp and they will be confident of battling with Senegal to get out of Group A as winners and having another deep run in the tournament.
Netherlands World Cup odds to win
Van Gaal's side secured top spot in Group G in qualification, with just one defeat from 10 games, to seal a place in Qatar.
No international team has played in more World Cup finals (three) without winning the competition, with their 1-0 loss to Spain in 2010 their most recent near miss.
Here's how the Netherlands' pre-tournament chances to win the World Cup are shaping up for sportsbooks in several major global territories.
| Territory | Odds to win World Cup |
| U.S. (BetMGM) | +1400 |
| U.K. (Sky Bet) | 14/1 |
| Canada (Sports Interaction) | 9.39 |
| Australia (Ladbrokes) | 13.00 |
Netherlands World Cup fixtures schedule
Netherlands start their Group A campaign in Qatar with an eye-catching match against Senegal on November 21 in Doha.
Their opening game is followed up with a clash against Ecuador on November 25 in Al Rayyan before wrapping up the group stage in Al Khor, on November 29, against hosts Qatar.
The Dutch have never faced Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal before in competitive action but they have won their past three group-stage openers in World Cup tournaments.
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Mon, Nov. 21 | Senegal vs. Netherlands | 11 a.m. | Al Thumama Stadium |
| Fri, Nov. 25 | Netherlands vs. Ecuador | 11 a.m. | Khalifa Int'l Stadium |
| Tues, Nov. 29 | Netherlands vs. Qatar | 10 a.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
Netherlands route to World Cup final
Netherlands are strongly fancied to make it out of Group A with their battle against Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal likely to decide the group winners.
Hosts Qatar are making their World Cup debut with Ecuador reaching the knockout stages just once in their history.
Round of 16
If Van Gaal's side top Group A, they will face the runners-up from Group B, which looks set to be a battle between Wales and the United States.
Second place in Group A means a clash with the Group B winners, with England the favourites to top their pool.
Quarterfinals
A spot in the quarterfinals would mean a meeting with Group C winners, if Netherlands top their group, with Argentina the most likely opponent.
Second place in the group puts them in the other half of the draw with the winners of Group D awaiting them in the last eight, which could potentially mean defending champions France.
Semifinals
Winning Group A could mean a huge game in the last four, with Germany, Spain or Brazil, but second place could mean a more favourable draw, possibly against the winners of Group F or H.
Final
A place in the final looks almost certain to mean a meeting with France or Brazil in Lusail.
Potential knockout round schedule — if Netherlands finish 1st in Group A
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 3 | Round of 16 | 10:00 p.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 9 | Quarterfinals | 2:00 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Tue, Dec. 13 | Semifinals | 2:00 p.m. | Lusail Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17* | Third Place Match | 10:00 a.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Final | 10:00 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
*Only in event of defeat in semifinals
Potential knockout schedule — if Netherlands finish 2nd in Group A
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 4 | Round of 16 | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 10 | Quarterfinals | 2:00 a.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Wed, Dec. 14 | Semifinals | 2:00 p.m. | Al Bayt Stadium |
| Sat, Dec. 17* | Third Place Match | 10:00 a.m. | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Sun, Dec. 18 | Final | 10:00 a.m. | Lusail Stadium |
*Only in event of defeat in semifinals
