Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman is the head coach of the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leading Oranje into the tournament after qualifying as Group G winners. Born in Zaandam on 21 March 1963, he is one of the most decorated Dutch footballers of all time and the younger brother of fellow international Erwin Koeman.

As a player, the elegant sweeper-libero won the European Cup with PSV in 1988 and famously scored the winning free-kick in Barcelona's 1992 European Cup final at Wembley. He lifted Euro 1988 with the Netherlands and collected four Eredivisie titles and four La Liga crowns during his playing career.

His coaching CV spans Ajax (two Eredivisie titles), PSV, Valencia (Copa del Rey 2008), Benfica, Feyenoord, Southampton, Everton and Barcelona (Copa del Rey 2021). His first spell in charge of the Netherlands (2018–2020) restored the team to relevance and reached the inaugural Nations League final. Reappointed in January 2023, he steered the side through Euro 2024 to the semi-finals and now to a third consecutive major tournament.

The Netherlands are in Group F with Tunisia and Sweden, opening on 13 June. Koeman's challenge: convert a generation built around Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons into a deep run — and possibly Oranje's first ever World Cup title.