After playing only 17 games at the highest level, Van Beveren debuted for the Netherlands national football team at age 19. His first match was a 3–1 victory over the Soviet Union. In the following years, Van Beveren became the first goalkeeper for the national team. But to his discontent, he faced the problem of playing with unmotivated Ajax and Feyenoord players who could achieve considerable more success and bigger financial gain at their clubs. After failing to qualify for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, Van Beveren lashed out against his teammates: "we lost because some players didn't want to put themselves out. They were only talking about money. (…) If you play for your nation, who cares about money?" In the Euro 1972 qualification, Van Beveren appeared in six matches, but the Netherlands again failed to qualify. For the 1974 World Cup, he played four qualification matches, but a groin injury sidelined him for the final matches.