The Anthem
Wilhelmus
▶ Listen on YouTube ↗“Wilhelmus van Nassouwe ben ik, van Duitsen bloed…”
Generally regarded as the oldest national anthem in the world, with words dating to around 1572.
The Legends
Names that echo
Johan Cruyff
Forward · 1960s–70s
The philosopher-king of 'Total Football' and one of the most influential figures the game has known.
Marco van Basten
Forward · 1980s–90s
Scorer of perhaps the greatest volley ever, in the 1988 Euro final.
Dennis Bergkamp
Forward · 1990s–2000s
The 'Non-Flying Dutchman' whose 1998 World Cup goal vs Argentina is pure art.
Fun Facts
Worth knowing
- 01
The 'Wilhelmus' is widely considered the world's oldest national anthem.
- 02
The Netherlands gave football 'Total Football' — a fluid system where any outfield player could play any position.
- 03
Despite three final appearances, the Oranje are the greatest team never to win the World Cup.
At the World Cup
The story so far
Football's great innovators and its great nearly-men: three World Cup finals lost, yet an outsized influence on how the game is played everywhere. Orange remains the color of beautiful, brainy football.
Total Football peaks
Cruyff's Netherlands dazzled the world before losing the final to West Germany — a defeat that only deepened the team's legend.
Bergkamp's masterpiece
A sublime touch, turn and finish against Argentina produced one of the World Cup's most beautiful goals.
Group Stage