Netherlands and Japan get their 2026 World Cup campaigns underway when they face off on Sunday at 9pm (UK time).
Oranje are three-time World Cup finalists, but they haven’t had the best of luck in recent years. Netherlands failed to qualify in 2018 and were knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2022. They’ll be hoping to finally end their long wait for World Cup glory in what is their 12th tournament.
Japan, meanwhile, have been ever-present at the World Cup since first qualifying in 1998. After alternative group stage and last-16 exits, Japan have made it to the knockout rounds in each of the past two tournaments. But, they still haven’t been able to make it past the last-16.
Netherlands have dominated this fixture to date, winning two of the three matches with one draw. But the most recent meeting was back in November 2013, a 2-2 draw.
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Netherlands vs Japan team news
Netherlands team news
Ronald Koeman had to make a late change to his Netherlands squad for the World Cup. Jurrien Timber had been a doubt ahead of the tournament following an injury, but featured in the Champions League final. However, the Dutch FA have decided that it wouldn’t be medically responsible for Timber to take part at the World Cup. He has been replaced in the squad by Lutsharel Geertruida.
Denzel Dumfries looks likely to start at right-back for the Netherlands, with Geertruida offering an option from the bench. On the other side, Micky van de Ven appears to be the favourite, with Virgil van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke playing through the middle. A Premier League-heavy defence is set to be completed by Bart Verbruggen in goal.
Further forward, Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders are set to be the midfield trio. The latter will likely push into more of a No.10 role, with De Jong and Gravenberch sitting deeper in a double pivot. Crysencio Summerville as been Ronald Koeman’s favourite on the right wing, with Cody Gakpo on the left. Memphis Depay is expected to lead the line.
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Japan team news
Unlike a lot of other nations, Japan only had one pre-tournament friendly, against Iceland. But their starting XI seems pretty set, and Japan appear ready to deal with the absense of Kaoru Mitoma who will miss the World Cup through injury. Takefusa Kubo and Junya Ito are set to play in the supportive attacking roles in Japan’s 3-4-2-1 formation. Ayase Ueda will lead the line after his phenomenal club season.
Ritsu Doan has emerged as a favoured for the right-wing-back role, taking it ahead of Yukinari Sugawara. Keito Nakamura is set to start on the left, though Yuto Nagatomo provides years of experience as a backup. In the middle, Wataru Endo had to withdraw from the squad on the eve of the tournament due to injury, subsequently retiring from international football. Daichi Kamada is set to start in Endo’s stead, with Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka likely to partner him.
Japan do have a lot of centre-back options for the World Cup, and the back three could be a number of different combinations. Maya Yoshida played against Iceland but is not in Japan’s World Cup squad, and will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Tsuyoshi Watanabe. Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the favourites to join him in defence. Zion Suzuki has made the No.1 spot his own after fine performances for club and country in 2025-26.
Netherland vs Japan predicted lineups
Netherlands (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Dumfries, van Hecke, van Dijk, van de Ven; de Jong, Gravenberch; Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay.
Japan (3-4-2-1): Suzuki; Tomiyasu, Itakura, Watanabe; Doan, Endo, Tanaka, Nakamura; Kubo, J Ito; Ueda.
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