FIFA WC 2026: 'Netherlands lost their identity,' Zlatan slams Koeman after Morocco exit
Synopsis
Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn't hold back after Morocco knocked the Netherlands out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on penalties — he blamed Koeman directly for ditching Dutch attacking DNA the moment they took the lead. With Koeman now hinting at resignation, the Dutch face a reckoning over identity as much as tactics.
Key Takeaways
Morocco beat Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday .
Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands in the 72nd minute ; Morocco equalised in the 91st minute .
Zlatan Ibrahimovic blamed coach Ronald Koeman for switching to a five-man defensive setup after taking the lead, calling it contrary to Dutch identity.
Ibrahimovic made his remarks to Fox Sports , saying 'This defeat is Koeman's fault.' Koeman hinted at a potential exit, saying he would 'reflect on his future' after the loss.
The Netherlands have been World Cup runners-up three times ( 1974, 1978, 2010 ) but have never won the title.
Former Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has launched a sharp critique of Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, saying the Dutch side abandoned their attacking identity in a 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 at Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday. After 120 minutes of tense football ended 1-1, the Atlas Lions held their nerve from the spot to advance and continue their remarkable World Cup run.
What Went Wrong for the Dutch
Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, giving the Netherlands the lead. However, coach Koeman then made the surprising tactical call to switch to an ultra-conservative five-man defensive setup — a move that drew immediate criticism. Morocco struck back with a leveller in the 91st minute, forcing the match into extra time and ultimately a shootout, which the European side lost 3-2.
Ibrahimovic's Verdict on Koeman
Speaking to Fox Sports, Ibrahimovic was unsparing in his assessment. 'This defeat is Koeman's fault because I didn't recognise this Dutch team. He lost with an identity that is not the Dutch identity. That makes me angry. I was always taught: attack, attack, attack. This is not the Dutch identity. Today, Koeman looked like an Italian coach, playing not to lose, whereas the Netherlands always play to win. If you lose, at least lose with your own identity and don't change it,' he said.
Ibrahimovic elaborated further: 'This wasn't the Netherlands I'm used to seeing. You could also tell by the way they played that they didn't feel comfortable. The possession was gone, the attacking football was gone... It just looked really bad, and that was all on Koeman. I didn't like it at all, absolutely not.'
Koeman Hints at Exit
Under pressure following the defeat, Koeman stopped short of resigning but left his future deliberately open. 'I haven't resigned. I'm going to reflect on my future. Right now, the disappointment from the match is still very fresh. I'll gather my thoughts, and maybe I'll come to a conclusion by tomorrow morning,' he told reporters after the match.
Netherlands' Ongoing World Cup Heartbreak
The defeat extends one of football's most enduring near-misses. Despite reaching the final three times — in 1974, 1978, and 2010 — the Netherlands have never lifted the FIFA World Cup. Their round of 32 exit in 2026 means the wait for a first title stretches at least another four years. For Morocco, the win underlines their growing stature as a force in world football, building on their historic 2022 semi-final run.
With Koeman's position now uncertain, Dutch football faces a pivotal moment — both in terms of leadership and in rediscovering the attacking philosophy that once made the Netherlands synonymous with 'Total Football'.
Point of View
But it points to a genuine structural tension in Dutch football: the gap between the 'Total Football' mythology the Netherlands carry and the pragmatic conservatism their coaches increasingly resort to under pressure. Koeman's decision to sit on a one-goal lead — against a Morocco side that had just proved in 2022 they never stop pressing — was tactically questionable regardless of identity politics. The deeper question is whether the Dutch system produces players comfortable enough in a high-press, possession-dominant style to actually execute that philosophy at a World Cup. Koeman's likely exit will prompt a coaching search, but a new name alone won't resolve the gap between Dutch football's self-image and its present-day reality.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Netherlands lose to Morocco at FIFA World Cup 2026?
The Netherlands lost to Morocco 3-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following 120 minutes of play. After Cody Gakpo gave them the lead in the 72nd minute, coach Ronald Koeman controversially switched to a five-man defensive shape; Morocco equalised in the 91st minute and won the shootout.
What did Zlatan Ibrahimovic say about Ronald Koeman?
Ibrahimovic, speaking to Fox Sports, said the defeat was 'Koeman's fault' and that he did not recognise the Dutch team. He criticised Koeman for playing defensively, saying the Netherlands 'always play to win' and should 'lose with their own identity' rather than abandon their attacking style.
Is Ronald Koeman leaving as Netherlands coach?
Koeman has not resigned but strongly hinted at a possible exit after the defeat. He said he would 'reflect on his future' and might reach a conclusion 'by tomorrow morning,' leaving his position uncertain.
Have the Netherlands ever won the FIFA World Cup?
No, the Netherlands have never won the FIFA World Cup despite reaching the final three times — in 1974, 1978, and 2010. Their round of 32 exit at the 2026 tournament means their wait for a first title continues.
How far has Morocco progressed in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Morocco advanced to the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties, continuing their reputation as one of the tournament's most resilient sides following their historic semi-final run at the 2022 World Cup.
