The Netherlands eliminated from World Cup on penalties for third time in a row

The Netherlands have officially become the World Cup’s most reliable heartbreak machine. On June 29, Morocco ended the Dutch campaign in the Round of 32 in Kansas City, winning 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. It’s the third consecutive World Cup where the Netherlands have been sent home from the penalty spot.

What happened in Kansas City

Morocco took the lead and looked in control for stretches of the match, but Cody Gakpo equalized to drag the Netherlands level. Neither side could find a winner through the remainder of the contest or extra time, sending the match to a penalty shootout.

Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot kick for Morocco, sealing a 3-2 penalty victory.

This was the earliest exit in the Netherlands’ World Cup history. A Round of 32 departure. For a nation that reached the semifinals in 2014 and the quarterfinals in 2022, going out in the first knockout round represents a steep and unmistakable decline in tournament trajectory.

The expanded 48-team format for the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, introduced a Round of 32 stage that didn’t previously exist. The Netherlands made it through their group only to hit a wall immediately after.

A penalty curse with deep roots

In 2014, Argentina beat them on penalties in the semifinal in Brazil. In 2022, it was Argentina again, this time in the quarterfinals in Qatar. And now Morocco in 2026, in the Round of 32.

The Netherlands have not lost a World Cup match in regular time since the 2010 final against Spain. That’s 16 years without a regulation-time loss at a World Cup, and yet three tournament exits in a row.

Crypto’s quiet World Cup

The 2026 World Cup has been conspicuously absent of cryptocurrency sponsorships and integrations, a sharp contrast to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where exchanges bought ad space, fan tokens were marketed aggressively, and the industry used the global stage to push its brand to billions of viewers.

No major crypto sponsors are visible at the 2026 edition. Increased regulatory scrutiny around crypto promotions likely plays a role, as organizations and sporting bodies have become more cautious about associating with an industry that saw several high-profile implosions in the intervening years.

Fan tokens like CHZ (Chiliz) still exist and maintain some engagement among supporters, but they haven’t generated mainstream buzz and carry no official backing from tournament organizers.

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