Dutch Women’s World Cup Qualification Suffers Setback with Draw in Poland
The Netherlands women’s national team began their quest for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Poland on Monday, March 4, 2026. The result, playing on a challenging pitch in Gdansk, leaves the Dutch side looking for a response in their next qualifying match.
Poland took an early lead, scoring within the first 24 minutes through captain Ewa Pajor. However, the Netherlands responded before halftime with a goal from Veerle Buurman, leveling the score. Jill Roord then put the Dutch ahead in the second half, but a late goal from Paulina Tomasiak in the 85th minute secured a draw for the hosts.
Despite the disappointing result, goalkeeper Lize Kop expressed a positive outlook, stating she was “happy” with her performance. The team acknowledged the difficult playing conditions, with players noting the poor state of the pitch.
The Netherlands will now turn their attention to a crucial match against Ireland on Saturday, March 7, 2026, as they aim to get their qualifying campaign back on track. This match is considered a “must-win” for the Dutch, especially given the competitive nature of their qualifying group, which likewise includes France.
Forward Lieke Martens echoed the sentiment that the pitch conditions were a factor, but emphasized that it shouldn’t be an excuse for the team’s performance. “Awful field, but that shouldn’t be an excuse,” Martens said after the match.
The draw places early pressure on the Netherlands in a group where every point will be vital. The team will need to quickly regroup and focus on securing a victory against Ireland to maintain their World Cup ambitions.
