Match preview for Netherlands vs Japan
The Netherlands and Japan begin their World Cup 2026 campaigns on Sunday evening when they meet in Dallas.
Group F also contains Sweden and Tunisia, making every point valuable in what could prove to be one of the more 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 remain one of football’s most successful nations never to have lifted the trophy.
Head coach Ronald Koeman is leading the Netherlands into a World Cup for the first time as manager after representing his country as a player at the 1994 finals in the United States.
However, preparations have not been entirely convincing. A surprise defeat to Algeria ended a 10-match unbeaten run before a behind-closed-doors victory over Uzbekistan required two Cody Gakpo penalties, including one deep into stoppage time.
Koeman will be hoping for a more fluid attacking display against a Japan side that arrives full of confidence after an outstanding 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 minimal difficulty.
Japan scored 54 goals during AFC qualifying, more than any other nation in the confederation, while conceding only three times.
Recent friendly results have further strengthened belief, with Japan winning six consecutive matches, including notable victories over Brazil and England.
The Japanese also impressed at the 2022 World Cup, defeating both Germany and Spain before pushing Croatia all the way to a penalty shootout in the last 16.
Team news for Netherlands vs Japan
The Netherlands are facing uncertainty over first-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after he suffered a hip injury during the team’s final World Cup warm-up match.
Should Verbruggen fail to recover in time, Mark Flekken is expected to deputise between the posts, while Robin Roefs is also available.
Ronald Koeman is already without several important players. Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber withdrew from the squad, while Jerdy Schouten, Matthijs de Ligt and Xavi Simons are also unavailable through injury.
Japan’s biggest absentee is captain Wataru Endo, who announced his international retirement after failing to recover from a foot injury.
Kaoru Mitoma is also unavailable, meaning greater responsibility will fall on Takefusa Kubo, Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda. The trio combined for 33 goal involvements during qualifying and are expected to lead Japan’s attacking threat.
Veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo could also make history during the tournament. If he features, the 39-year-old would become the first Asian player to appear at five separate World Cups.
Expected line-ups for Netherlands vs Japan
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
