Netherlands lineup vs. Japan: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 Group F clash as Koeman faces striker decision

Starting different quest to assertion football's top prize, the Netherlands volition look Japan successful their World Cup 2026 opener connected Sunday. 

Heading into a tough Group F showdown with Asia's apical team, caput manager Ronald Koeman has a reasonably settled XI, but 2 large decisions indispensable beryllium made.

First-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen suffered a bruised hep successful Oranje's last World Cup warm-up against Uzbekistan, which was played behind closed doors successful New York; so, Mark Flekken and Robin Roefs are connected standby.

Only a brace of Cody Gakpo penalties defeated the White Wolves astatine Icahn Stadium, and the Liverpool guardant is 1 of Koeman's definite starters, on with clubmate and nationalist skipper Virgil van Dijk.

However, determination remains immoderate statement astir who should pb the Netherlands' attack, with all-time apical scorer Memphis Depay abbreviated of highest signifier and fitness.

Though the 32-year-old scored 8 goals successful qualifying, Donyell Malen has excelled since moving to Roma and is Serie A's apical scorer this calendar year.

Elsewhere, Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber was forced to retreat owed to injury, truthful Denzel Dumfries is acceptable to diagnostic connected the close broadside of a acquainted backmost four, with Micky Van de Ven favoured implicit Nathan Ake connected the other flank.

In the Dutch motor room, Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch volition supply a treble pivot; Tijjani Reijnders faces contention from Justin Kluivert and Teun Koopmeiners to commencement arsenic the astir precocious midfielder.

Netherlands imaginable starting lineup: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch; Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay

> Click present to spot however Japan could enactment up against the Netherlands