The 2026 Solheim Cup will take place at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, from September 11-13, with three-time major champion Anna Nordqvist named as Team Europe’s captain. The 37-year-old, who claimed victory at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie, will succeed Suzann Pettersen in leading Europe against the United States. Having served as a playing vice-captain in the last two editions of the biennial tournament, Nordqvist will become the seventh Swedish captain to helm Team Europe.
The 2019 edition saw Europe retain the trophy at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia with a 14-14 tie after a dramatic final day. European players staged a comeback from a 15.5-12.5 deficit, with Germany’s Carlota Ciganda beating world number one Nelly Korda in the penultimate singles match to help the hosts reach 14. The final day was halved, and despite missing out on an outright win, Pettersen’s second in charge of the European side marked another memorable chapter in Europe’s rich history at the event.
In 2026, Team Europe will feature a mix of experienced and young talent. The top two Rolex Women’s World Ranking players will earn automatic qualification, plus the captain’s picks. Pettersen has selected Georgia Hall, Anna Nordqvist, Emily Pedersen, and Albane Valenzuela as her captain’s picks. The quartet has made nine consecutive appearances in the competition and will be hoping to add a third victory.
Sweden’s Nordqvist has won 17 of her 35 Solheim Cup matches, a tally good enough to have put her second only behind Catriona Matthew in the all-time list of most appearances for the home side. She won her first in 2011 and was instrumental in Europe’s dramatic 15-13 victory against the USA at Gleneagles two years later.
Nordqvist was playing vice-captain for both of Europe’s last two victories over the USA and has served twice as a captain’s pick. She will be hoping to notch up her first win as a skipper at the 2026 event.
Nordqhake’s in fine form, finishing joint eighth at the LPGA Championship and a superb second on the final day of play at the Blythefield Country Club. The Swede is also in contention at the ANA Inspiration, where she is joint leader with South Korea’s Grace Kim.
She has asked Korea to improve by moving to the final stage of qualifying for the upcoming Women’s British Open at RoyaWomen’s and St Anne’s in September.
NordqviAnne’s appointment as ENordqvist’s captain will make Europe’s 0th appearance in the Solheim Cup and her fourth as a skipper. She has won four matches and halved seven in those contests, with her best performance in 2023 when she partnered Nicolai Romero to a two-point triumph in the opening four balls. She also led out the final day of that contest with a 67 in the closing rounds. She is in good form and has the right experience to lead her side well at the 2026 event.
