The Netherlands were reported to have drawn 3-3 with Serbia in Den Bosch in their first 2026 World Championship qualifying match. Serbia led 3-0 after goals by Tomic and Petrov, before Stan van der Wal and Ceyar, who scored twice, brought the Dutch team level. The Netherlands continued to seek a winner with a fifth outfield player but did not score again.

The Netherlands, Serbia and Andorra are in a three-team group and play each other home and away. The group winners and the four best runners-up advance to the elite round, while the other eight runners-up enter a play-off route. The Netherlands resume qualifying in November with two matches against Andorra.