Netherlands vs Japan - prediction, team news, lineups | World Cup 2026

Finally getting nether mode astatine World Cup 2026, the Netherlands and Japan volition commencement their Group F run by gathering successful Dallas connected Sunday evening.

In a radical besides featuring Sweden and Tunisia, some sides are seeking a top-two finish, which volition warrant advancement done to the knockout phase.

Match preview

After reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024 - positive the quarters of some the astir caller World Cup and UEFA Nations League - the Netherlands are present aiming to spell further and unafraid an elusive planetary title.

Set for their 12th quality astatine FIFA's apical tournament, nary different federation has finished runner-up arsenic often without winning the trophy, pursuing last defeats successful 1974, 1978 and past 2010.

Getting into the knockout rounds volition beryllium their archetypal task, and past suggests they should look safely from Group F: Oranje are unbeaten successful 16 World Cup radical matches dating backmost to 1994.

That year, Ronald Koeman captained the Dutch broadside astatine a sweltering US-based finals, and helium present leads his state into different North American World Cup arsenic caput coach.

Following an unconvincing qualification campaign, wherever they conscionable scraped past Poland, Oranje's caller farewell fixture finished successful decision astatine De Kuip, arsenic Algeria ended their 10-match unbeaten streak. 

Then, they travelled to New York for a low-key practice lucifer against Uzbekistan, down closed doors astatine Icahn Stadium. 

Only a brace of Cody Gakpo penalties saw disconnected the first-time finalists - with the second arriving heavy into stoppage clip - truthful Koeman volition anticipation for a much fluent show connected Sunday.

A ascendant unit successful Asia, Japan are heading into their eighth consecutive World Cup; however, they person ne'er progressed beyond the past 16 - adjacent connected location turf successful 2002.

Ranked 18th successful the satellite - conscionable 10 places beneath their opening opponents - Hajime Moriyasu's broadside get successful a superb vein of form, having won six consecutive friendlies.

Beating Brazil and England on the way, Samurai Blue person built immoderate superior momentum, aft striding done the World Cup qualifiers successful style. 

Plundering 54 goals, Japan scored much than immoderate different federation successful AFC qualifying and were the archetypal squad to articulation the 3 tourney co-hosts.

Furthermore, they conceded lone 3 times successful the process, underlining the operation and cohesion that has raised hopes of a heavy tally this summer.

Japan excelled against elite European absorption astatine Qatar 2022, beating some Germany and Spain successful the radical signifier earlier drafting with Croatia and suffering a peculiarly cruel exit connected penalties.

Now, they volition conscionable the Netherlands astatine a World Cup finals for conscionable the 2nd time, pursuing a 1-0 decision successful 2010.

Netherlands signifier (all competitions):

D W W D L W

Japan signifier (all competitions):

W W W W W W

Team News

First-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen sustained a hep wounded successful the Netherlands' last World Cup warm-up, leaving Koeman with a large telephone to marque this weekend.

If required, Bayer Leverkusen stopper Mark Flekken would astir apt regenerate him, portion Robin Roefs is different capable deputy.

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber was antecedently forced to withdraw, portion ACL unfortunate Jerdy Schouten had already been joined connected the sidelines by Matthijs de Ligt and cardinal creator Xavi Simons.

Of those who are available, 2 men volition vie to diagnostic up front. All-time apical scorer Memphis Depay racked up 12 extremity involvements successful qualifying, but Donyell Malen's red-hot signifier for Roma has thrust him into contention. 

Japan's astir notable absentee is skipper Wataru Endo, who announced his status from planetary shot aft failing to retrieve from a ft injury; livewire winger Kaoru Mitoma was besides forced to miss out.

Without the latter, Moriyasu should crook to Take Kubo and Junya Ito arsenic supporting forwards down lone striker Ayase Ueda; combined, the trio recorded 33 extremity involvements successful qualifying.

Set for a spot connected the bench, 39-year-old full-back Yuto Nagatomo could go the archetypal Asian subordinate to look astatine 5 World Cups.

Netherlands imaginable starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch; Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay

Japan imaginable starting lineup:

Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, H. Ito; Doan, Kamada, Tanaka, Nakamura; J. Ito, Kubo; Ueda

We say: Netherlands 2-2 Japan

To date, Japan person ne'er beaten the Netherlands, who past lost a World Cup opener successful 1938 - yet this whitethorn beryllium their champion chance.

Oranje whitethorn diagnostic higher up Sports Mole's World Cup 2026 betting guide, but Samurai Blue are a slick attacking portion and should astatine slightest assertion 1 point.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.