Last Updated on 14/06/2026 by TinHN Editor
Group F | Matchday 1 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas) | June 14, 2026 | 4:00 PM ET
The Netherlands vs Japan is the standout fixture of Day 4 at the 2026 World Cup — and potentially one of the trickiest assignments for a European heavyweight in the entire group stage. The Dutch arrive with Van Dijk, Gakpo, and a squad capable of going deep into the tournament. Japan arrive on a five-match winning run that includes victories over Brazil and England, without a defeat at a World Cup group stage since 2022.
Japan have never beaten the Netherlands in three attempts. That record could change on Sunday.
Match Info
| Kickoff | 4:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM BST (June 14, 2026) |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas |
| Group | Group F |
| TV | FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Streaming | FOX Sports App, Fubo, Peacock |
Netherlands — Three Finals, Zero Trophies. That Changes Now?
The Netherlands have been World Cup runners-up three times (1974, 1978, 2010) without ever lifting the trophy — an uncomfortable record for a nation that gave the world Total Football. Under Ronald Koeman, the current squad has the quality to finally end that wait.
The spine of the team is elite. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) remains one of the best central defenders on the planet and leads the side as captain. In midfield, Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), and Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City) give Koeman a versatile, deep midfield unit. In attack, Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) and Donyell Malen (Roma — in the form of his career) provide the cutting edge.
The squad also includes Memphis Depay, the Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with 55 international goals in 109 caps. Memphis arrives managing a hamstring issue from his club season with Corinthians and is expected to begin on the bench — but his impact as an impact substitute could be decisive at key moments in the tournament.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk (c), Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch, Reijnders; Summerville, Malen, Gakpo
Notable injury concerns: Matthijs de Ligt (back issue, tournament involvement uncertain); Memphis Depay (hamstring management)
Japan — The Samurai Blue Are Serious Contenders
Japan arrive at the 2026 World Cup as arguably the strongest version of the national team in history. They were the first non-host nation to qualify for the tournament, and their qualifying numbers were exceptional: 54 goals scored, just three conceded across the entire qualification campaign.
Their recent form is genuinely impressive — five consecutive wins before the tournament, including a 1–0 victory over England and a defeat of Brazil. Japan’s pressing intensity, technical discipline, and tactical flexibility under manager Hajime Moriyasu have transformed them from a respectable Asian qualifier into a legitimate upset threat.
The squad carries injury concerns, however. Kaoru Mitoma — Brighton’s explosive winger and one of Japan’s most dangerous attackers — has been ruled out of the entire tournament with a hamstring injury. Wataru Endo (Liverpool), the squad’s captain, is also managing a foot injury and may not start. The creative burden shifts heavily to Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), who has the technical ability to hurt any defense in the world on his day.
Ayase Ueda leads the attack — the striker scored 25 goals in 31 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord this season, making him one of the most in-form strikers at this tournament.
A subplot: veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo, 39, is in the squad. If he gets any playing time, he becomes the first Asian player ever to appear at five separate World Cups.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, H. Ito; Doan, Kamada, Tanaka, Nakamura; J. Ito, Kubo; Ueda
Head-to-Head
Japan have never beaten the Netherlands. In three previous meetings (two friendlies, one World Cup):
- 2010 World Cup (South Africa): Netherlands 1–0 Japan
- 2013 Friendly: Japan 2–2 Netherlands
- 2008 Olympic qualifier: Netherlands 1–0 Japan
The 2026 opener is Japan’s best chance yet to end that streak — they arrive in better shape than in any previous meeting.
The Tactical Battle
The key duel of this match is in central midfield. Japan’s high-pressing system is designed to disrupt teams that build from the back — and the Dutch, under Koeman, do exactly that. If Japan’s press can prevent Frenkie de Jong from receiving and distributing calmly, they can drag the game into uncomfortable territory for the Netherlands.
On the other side, Van Dijk and the Dutch backline are well-equipped to deal with Japan’s counter-attacking threat — the same approach that produced Japan’s famous upsets over Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022.
The Netherlands have the individual quality advantage across the pitch. But Japan’s collective organization and pressing intensity make them more dangerous than a surface reading of the fixture suggests.
Prediction: Netherlands 2–1 Japan Gakpo and Malen provide the goals for the Dutch. Japan score — but the Netherlands hold on for an important three points.
Group F Picture
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Netherlands are the group favorites. Japan and Sweden are competing for the runner-up spot. The result of this match shapes the entire group dynamic.
| Team | Next fixture |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | vs Tunisia (June 20) |
| Japan | vs Sweden (June 21) |
| Sweden | vs Tunisia (today, June 14) |
FAQ
What time is Netherlands vs Japan? Kickoff is at 4:00 PM ET on June 14, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Where can I watch Netherlands vs Japan in the US? FOX (English broadcast), Telemundo (Spanish). Streaming via the FOX Sports App, Fubo, and Peacock.
Has Japan ever beaten the Netherlands? No. In three previous meetings, Japan have lost twice and drawn once. The 2026 World Cup opener is their latest chance to record a first-ever win over the Dutch.
Is Kaoru Mitoma playing for Japan? No. Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury before the tournament and has been ruled out of the entire 2026 World Cup — the biggest injury blow for Japan’s squad.
Is Memphis Depay starting? Memphis Depay is in the squad but expected to begin on the bench, managing a hamstring issue from his club season with Corinthians. He remains a valuable impact substitute with 55 international goals to his name.
What is Japan’s World Cup 2026 qualifying record? Japan were exceptional in qualifying: 54 goals scored and only 3 conceded. They were the first non-host nation to secure their 2026 World Cup place and arrived on a five-match winning streak including wins over Brazil and England.
Could Yuto Nagatomo make history in this match? If the 39-year-old defender gets any playing time, he becomes the first Asian player ever to appear at five different World Cups — a record that would put him in the history books regardless of the match result.