The Netherlands’ under-21 team was set to play Denmark on Friday evening and the following Tuesday in a playoff for a place at the European Championship. The team had finished below Norway in its qualifying group. A place among the top four at the European Championship would also bring qualification for the 2028 Olympic football tournament in Los Angeles, although captain Givairo Read said he had only just learned about that opportunity.

Coach Michael Reiziger said the Olympic prospect made the playoff important, but said the team first had to get past Denmark. Ruben van Bommel and Gjivai Zechiël were absent after being called up to the senior Netherlands squad, while Kees Smit was expected to return for the second leg after reconsidering an earlier decision to miss both matches. Ayoub Oufkir was also unavailable after choosing to represent Morocco.