Netherlands odds: To win 2022 World Cup, how far will they go, top scorer and more

The Netherlands will be seeking to end 34-year trophy drought when they participate at the 2022 World Cup this winter.

Oranje, who are making their first World Cup finals appearance since 2014, have previously finished runner up on three occasions (1974, 1978 and 2010) and last time out at Euro 2020 the Dutch were in the first knockout round.

Frank de Boer consequently lost his job and he was soon replaced by Louis van Gaal, returning for a third stint as Netherlands head coach, under his leadership they seamlessly booked a spot in the upcoming tournament.

Blessed with a combination of experience and youth they are seen as outsiders for the gold this winter. In their last two World Cup outings they entered with minimal fanfare and won silver and bronze respectively, can they exceed expectations again?

Netherlands to win 2022 World Cup odds

You can find the Netherlands at 12/1 to win the tournament this winter.

Given their recent history of underperforming not many are expecting the Dutch to go all the way. Van Gaal, the ultimate pragmatist, proved doubters wrong in Brazil eight years ago by deviating away from his usual way of doing things and chances are the Dutch will once again be fielding a back-three.

2022 World Cup favourites

Team	Bet365	Paddy Power	William Hill
Brazil	9/2	5/1	5/1
France	11/2	6/1 5/1	11/2
England	11/2	7/1	6/1
Spain	8/1	15/2	15/2
Argentina	9/1	8/1	11/1

Before tweaking his system Oranje topped Uefa WCQ Group G but were made to work for it. Van Gaal inherited a side outside the automatic qualification spots and would go on to win five of his seven matches in charge with the other two matches ending in a stalemate.

Netherlands’ potential path to 2022 World Cup final

As the 10-best team in the world by FIFA’s rankings, the Netherlands were place in Pot 2 for the World Cup group stage draw and were the first name out of the hat.

Oranje were subsequently placed in Group A with hosts Qatar and were later joined by African champions Senegal and Ecuador.

The Netherlands kick off their World Cup group stage on the opening day of the tournament against Senegal, before games against Ecuador and then Qatar. The games will be split between Doha, Al Rayyan and Al Khor

Netherlands 2022 World Cup group stage fixtures

21 November 2022: Senegal vs Netherlands (10am UK time)

25 November 2022: Netherlands vs Ecuador (4pm UK time)

29 November 2022: Netherlands vs Qatar (3pm UK time)

If Netherlands win Group A

If the Netherlands were to win Group A, this would be their route through to the final, with no complications as only the top two sides go through.
Last 16: The runners-up of Group B, which consists of England, USA, Iran and Scotland/Wales/Ukraine, in Al Rayyan on 3rd December.
Quarter-finals: The winner of Match 50, which is played between the winner of Group C (Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland) and the Group D runners-up (France, Denmark, Tunisia and Peru/UAE/Australia)
Semi-finals: The winner of Match 58 which will include one of the Group E or Group G winners, or runners-up from Group F or H. Involved in these groups are the likes of Spain, Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Brazil, Portugal and Uruguay.

If Netherlands qualify from Group A

If the Netherlands finish second in Group A, they will go to the other side of the bracket.
Last 16: The winners of Group B in Al Khor on 4th December.
Quarter-finals: The winner of Match 52, played between Group D winners and Group C runners-up.
Semi-finals: The winner of Match 60, which could include the Group F or H winners, or runners-up from Group E or G.

As touched upon, the Netherlands made it to the World Cup semi-finals in 2014 before losing to Argentina, four years earlier in South Africa they finished runner-up, their best finish since 1978 when they also suffered a final loss. In 1974, the Dutch — who ended a 36-year absence (or six tournaments) — dazzled the world by showcasing their revolutionary brand of ‘total football’. Under the leadership of influential tactician Rinus Michels they reached their first World Cup final but were defeated by hosts West Germany.

Netherlands’ previous World Cup finishes

Year	Finish
1934	Round of 16
1938	Round of 16
1974	Runners-up
1978	Runners-up
1990	Round of 16
1994	Quarter-finals
1998	Fourth place
2006	Round of 16
2010	Runners-up
2014	Third place

Netherlands Golden Boot odds

There’s only really one man that’s going to be leading the line for Oranje this winter, and it’s Memphis Depay – who is currently 12/1 favourite to win the Golden Boot with Paddy Power.

The Barcelona forward ended Uefa’s qualification phase as the joint top-scorer with 12 goals, level with Harry Kane and finishing three ahead of Poland’s lethal marksman Robert Lewandowski. Since the start of 2021 he’s bagged 18 goals across 18 matches for Oranje including netting twice at Euro 2020 — both of which came in the group phase. At the time of writing he’s fourth on the Netherlands all-time goalscorer list on 39 goals, three behind Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in second. Robin van Persie leads the way having netted 50 times for the Netherlands.

2022 World Cup Golden Boot favourites