Predicted lineups, previews and where to watch as Oranje open their World Cup campaign
Netherlands vs Japan match preview
The Netherlands and Japan begin their 2026 World Cup campaigns on Sunday evening when they meet in Dallas.
Group F also contains Sweden and Tunisia, making every point valuable in what could be one of the most competitive sections of the tournament.
The Dutch arrive in North America hoping to finally end their long wait for World Cup glory. Despite reaching three finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010, Oranje is now among the most successful countries in football that have never lifted the trophy.
Coach Ronald Koeman is leading the Netherlands to the World Cup for the first time as a manager after representing his country as a finalist in the United States in 1994.
However, the arrangements were not entirely satisfactory. Algeria’s shock defeat ended a 10-match unbeaten run before a sealed victory over Uzbekistan required two Cody Gakpo penalties, including one in stoppage time.
Koeman will be hoping to attack a Japanese side who will arrive full of confidence after an impressive build-up to the tournament.
The Samurai Blue have quietly developed into one of the most consistent international teams in world football and qualified for their eighth consecutive World Cup with little difficulty.
Japan scored 54 goals in AFC qualifying, more than any other country in the confederation, while conceding just three.
Recent friendly results have reinforced the belief, as Japan have won six matches in a row, including notable victories over Brazil and England.
Japan also impressed at the 2022 World Cup, beating Germany and Spain before pushing Croatia all the way to penalties in the last 16.
Netherlands vs Japan team news
The Netherlands are facing uncertainty over starting goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after suffering a hip injury in the team’s final World Cup warm-up game.
Should Verbruggen fail to recover in time, Mark Flekken is expected to fill in between the positions, while Robin Roefs is available.
Ronald Koeman is already without several key players. Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has withdrawn from the squad, while Jerdy Schouten, Matthijs de Ligt and Xavi Simons are also out through injury.
Japan’s biggest player is the absence of captain Wataru Endo, who has announced that he is retiring for the season after failing to recover from a foot injury.
Kaoru Mitoma is also unavailable, which means the main responsibility will be on Takefusa Kubo, Junya Ito and Aase Ueda. The trio combined for 33 goals during qualifying and are expected to lead the attacking threat against Japan.
Veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo can also make history in this tournament. If he plays, the 39-year-old will be the first Asian player to appear in five different World Cups.
Expected matches of Netherlands vs Japan
In the Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch; Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay
Japan: Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, H Ito; Doan, Kamada, Tanaka, Nakamura; J Ito, Kubo; Ueda
