Group F gets underway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Netherlands and Japan meet in Dallas on June 15. In a group also featuring Sweden and Tunisia, both sides are targeting a top-two finish that guarantees progress to the knockout rounds. This match is arguably the best opening fixture of the entire tournament, reflecting just how seriously the world regards this Japan side despite the Netherlands' loftier FIFA ranking. Their only previous World Cup meeting came at South Africa 2010, when De Oranje won 1-0.
Netherlands Aim for Global Title
After reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024, plus the quarter-finals of both the most recent World Cup and UEFA Nations League, the Netherlands are now aiming to go further and secure an elusive global title. After three runners-up finishes in their history, the Netherlands head to the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a familiar question: will this finally be their year?
Japan's Impressive Form
Japan are making their eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance, ranked 18th internationally and competing in Group F against the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden. But the numbers do not tell the full story of how far the Samurai Blue have come. Japan overcame Brazil, Ghana, Bolivia, Scotland, England and Iceland in six successive victories during their build-up to the tournament, conceding just once across that run.
Captain Wataru Endo withdrew due to a foot injury on the first day of the competition, with Ko Itakura taking on the captain's armband in his absence.
Match Details
What time will the Netherlands vs Japan 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group F match start? The match will kick off at 1:30 am IST on Sunday.
Where will the Netherlands vs Japan 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group F match be played? The match will be played at AT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA.
Predicted XIs
Netherlands (4-3-3)
- Bart Verbruggen
- Denzel Dumfries
- Jan Paul van Hecke
- Virgil van Dijk
- Micky van de Ven
- Tijjani Reijnders
- Ryan Gravenberch
- Frenkie de Jong
- Crysencio Summerville
- Donyell Malen
- Cody Gakpo
Japan (3-4-3)
- Zion Suzuki
- Tsuyoshi Watanabe
- Ko Itakura
- Hiroki Ito
- Ritsu Doan
- Daichi Kamada
- Ao Tanaka
- Keito Nakamura
- Takefusa Kubo
- Ayase Ueda
- Daizen Maeda
Head-to-Head Records
The Netherlands and Japan have faced each other just three times at senior international level, with each meeting coming this century.
- Matches played: 3
- Netherlands Wins: 2
- Draws: 1
- Japan Wins: 0
Squad News
Japan 26-Man Squad (Coach: Hajime Moriyasu)
Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki (Parma), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Defenders: Ko Itakura (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junnosuke Suzuki (FC Copenhagen)
Midfielders: Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05), Junya Ito (Genk), Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims)
Forwards: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Yuito Suzuki (SC Freiburg), Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden), Shuto Machino (replacement for Endo)
Netherlands 26-Man Squad (Coach: Ronald Koeman)
Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland)
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (C) (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Mats Wieffer (Brighton), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Guus Til (PSV), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham)
Forwards: Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Wout Weghorst (Ajax), Donyell Malen (Roma), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Brian Brobbey (Sunderland)
Match Prediction
Both nations could ultimately accept a draw heading into more winnable fixtures later in the group, but when 70,000 fans inside AT&T Stadium are demanding a winner, neutrals will be richly entertained. Netherlands' superior depth and Van Dijk's commanding leadership should edge it - Netherlands 2–1 Japan. But expect the Samurai Blue to provide a genuine scare, much as they did against Germany and Spain in Qatar four years ago.
Where to Watch
The Netherlands vs Japan 2026 FIFA World Cup match will be streamed live on the ZEE5 website and application and will be telecast live on the following channels – Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD. Fans in India can watch the match on these platforms.
