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The Netherlands meet Japan in today’s opening Group F clash at the World Cup.
Ronald Koeman’s Oranje come into the tournament with a strong squad but in not entirely convincing form. A brace of warm-up friendlies saw them beaten by Algeria and only edge past Uzbekistan.
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Their form is in stark contrast to expectations. Fans back home will fully expect a deep run after reaching the final in 2010 and finishing third in 2014.
And they have their work cut out for them facing a Japan team in something of a golden era. In tournaments gone by, the goal has simply been to escape the group stage, a feat they have achieved in just three of their six finals appearances. But they are tipped for a more significant contribution this time around.
A well-drilled squad featuring heavy hitters in Daizen Maeda, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada and the prolific Ayase Ueda is expected to carry the nation at least to the round of 16, which would be their joint-best finish.
Netherlands vs Japan is scheduled for a 9pm BST kick-off today on Sunday June 14, 2026.
The match will take place at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas.
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on ITV1, with coverage starting at 8.15pm BST. Coverage will immediately follow the Group E meeting between Germany and Curacao, which will be broadcast on the same channel.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live and for free online via the ITVX app or ITV website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with the ITVX app and website.
Koeman’s squad was rocked in the build-up to the tournament by the withdrawal of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, who has failed to recover from the groin injury which saw him sidelined for much of the title run-in. Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida was called up in his place.
A Liverpool-heavy core will dictate this team. Ryan Gravenberch is due to play a key role alongside Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo. All-time top scorer Memphis Depay and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen have both been passed fit after injury.
Netherlands squad: Mark Flekken, Robin Roefs, Bart Verbruggen, Nathan Ake, Sven Botman, Denzel Dumfries, Jorrel Hato, Lutsharel Geertruida, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mats Wieffer, Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, Ryan Gravenberch, Justin Kluivert, Teun Koopmeiners, Tijjani Reijnders, Guus Til, Quinten Timber, Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, Crysencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst
This Japan squad has been hailed as one of the nation’s strongest ever, and for good reason. Kamada will run the show after playing a pivotal role in two of Crystal Palace’s best-ever seasons, while Maeda will be important after enjoying a stellar campaign for Celtic.
Captain Wataru Endo missed much of the second half of Liverpool’s season with a serious ankle injury and has not made it back in time, pulling out of the squad and retiring from international football in a shock move on the eve of the tournament.
Ajax’s Ko Itakura is the new skipper, with Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino replacing Endo in the squad.
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Ao Tanaka had something of a breakout campaign at Leeds, pulling the strings for Daniel Farke’s side. Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda found the back of the net 25 times in 31 league appearances and scored more headed goals than any other player in Europe.
Japan squad: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki, Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junosuke Suzuki, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Koki Ogawa, Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Ayase Ueda, Keito Nakamura, Ito Suzuki, Kento Shiode, Keisuke Goto, Shuto Machino
If the Netherlands’ warm-up campaign is anything to go by, their prospects for the World Cup are not brilliant. Edging past Uzbekistan with 10 men and losing to Algeria will not have done much to inspire many fans back home.
Japan, meanwhile, are nothing if not inspired. This is a well-drilled, well-rounded squad which got the better of England at Wembley in March, and can genuinely dream of a serious run.
We back them to get the ball rolling in style.
Japan to win, 2-0.
It has been 13 years since these two nations last met. Their most recent clash came in a friendly in Genk and ended 2-2. Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben gave the Dutch a two-goal lead but they were pegged back by Yuya Osako and Keisuke Honda.
Netherlands wins: 2
Japan wins: 0
Draws: 1
Odds via UK betting sites (subject to change). Check out the latest World Cup betting odds & offers.
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