Netherlands

History of Dutch football

Dutch professional football has a rich history, beginning in the early 20th century. The first organized league in the Netherlands, the Eredivisie, was established in 1956, following years of regional competitions. The league quickly became one of Europe’s most competitive, with clubs like Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven dominating both domestically and in European competitions.

In the 1970s, Dutch football gained international fame with the rise of Total Football, a tactical style led by players like Johan Cruyff at Ajax. This period saw Ajax win multiple European Cups, and the national team reached the final of the 1974 World Cup. The Dutch team, known for their technical skill and fluid play, became one of the most influential footballing styles in the world.

In 1970, Feyenoord became the first Dutch club to win the European Cup, defeating Celtic in the final. The 1980s and 1990s brought more success, with PSV Eindhoven winning the European Cup in 1988, and the Dutch national team clinching the UEFA European Championship in 1988. Meanwhile, clubs like Ajax and Feyenoord continued to maintain their competitive edge in European football.

In recent years, the Eredivisie remains one of Europe’s top leagues, producing talented players who often move on to top international clubs. The Dutch national team remains a strong contender in international tournaments, having reached the final of the World Cup three times (1974, 1978, and 2010), though they are still searching for their first World Cup title.

Today, Dutch football continues to be known for its emphasis on attacking play, strong youth development, and competitive domestic league.

History of the Infinity Cup

The first season of the Infinity Cup began on 2nd September 1956. Nine matches were played in the first round, all on the same day. It is not clear which match was played first.

Eight matches were decisive, while one ended in a draw. This left eight potential first cupholders: Ajax, USV Elinkwijk, RC&FC Sparta, Fortuna ’54, BVC Amsterdam, MVV, Sportclub Enschede, or VV.

Scenarios were created for all eight options. All eight scenarios eventually led to two different Infinity Cup winners at the end of the season. Five scenarios resulted in one winner, while three scenarios led to a second winner.

It does not matter which of these two teams starts as the initial cupholder. In both situations, the same team will end up winning the second season. For now, Ajax – NAC is considered the first ever match played, purely based on alphabetical order.

Further research will be required to determine which team should be the rightful winner of season 1.

Current Cupholder

Next Cupholder Match

Previous Seasons

In the table below, you can navigate to previous seasons and see the top-3 ranked teams.

Seasons prior to 2000 are not yet available but will be added soon.