Preview: Netherlands vs Japan prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

Can Samurai Blue avenge their 2010 World Cup defeat against Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands?

Flanked by the historic Trinity River basin, the Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, USA, gears up to host the opening match week fixture in Group F of the FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring three-time World Cup finalists the Netherlands and Asian heavyweights Japan.

Since 1998, the Netherlands have never lost a single group-stage game in the FIFA World Cup and went on to win the silver medal in 2010 and the bronze medal in 2014. They are the only team to make it to three FIFA World Cup Finals but never put their hands on the trophy.

They are led by Ronald Koeman, the Dutch legend who has previously won the Copa del Rey with FC Barcelona and Valencia before returning to the Netherlands team for his second innings.

🇯🇵🔥板倉滉｜後藤啓介｜鈴木淳之介#最高の景色を #サッカー日本代表 pic.twitter.com/Fa0sYYQYsx

— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) June 13, 2026

They suffered a 1-0 defeat to Algeria before getting the better of Uzbekistan in the most recent friendly. They hold an unbeaten record against Japan, but the Samurai Blue can topple even the best teams of the world when they are in their peak form.

Talking about Japan, the Asian heavyweights are known to pull out some of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. They went on to shock the world after topping the Group of Death and getting the better of former world champions Spain and Germany.

They are the ultimate giant killers of the tournament. They are led by the veteran Hajime Moriyasu, who has been at the helm of Japanese football for nearly a decade and will be coaching in his third World Cup.

They are extremely good at transition plays, especially during quick counter-attacking moments. The last time these two sides met at the 2010 World Cup, Japan suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands. The Samurai Blue are coming after five back-to-back wins in their last five games and are in excellent form.

Kick-off:

• Location: Arlington, Texas, USA
• Stadium: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium)
• Date: Sunday, June 14 [Monday, June 15 IST]
• Kick-off time: 9 p.m. BST [1:30 a.m. IST, Monday, June 15 / 3 p.m. local CDT, Sunday, June 14]
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Netherlands (in all competitions): W-W-D-L-W

Japan (in all competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Micky van de Ven (Netherlands)

One of the fastest defenders on this planet, van de Ven is coming after a brilliant season with Tottenham Hotspur, propelling the North London outfit from the jaws of relegation. What makes him a valuable asset for Koeman is his positional flexibility.

He is primarily a centre back, but given his raw pace and acceleration and an unparalleled recovery speed, he can operate as a left back too. After missing out on the last World Cup to being a guaranteed starter for the Dutch team, van de Ven has come a long way.

He had 8 goal contributions for Spurs this season, making him one of the top goal-scoring defenders in the top five European leagues.

Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

After a series of injuries ruled out Mitoma and Wataru, Kubo will have a big role to play in Japan’s World Cup 2026 campaign. A product of Barcelona’s world-famous youth academy La Masia, Kubo showed early signs of greatness before playing for top Spanish clubs.

After plying his trade across Asian clubs like FC Tokyo and Yokohama, he made a high profile switch to Mallorca, before playing for Getafe and Villareal.

He is coming after winning the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad and had 6 goal contributions in over 25 games for Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side.

Match Facts

• Netherlands defeated Japan 1-0 when these two sides met in 2010 FIFA World Cup
• Japan are winless against Netherlands in all competitions.
• Wesley Sneijder of Netherlands is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.

Netherlands vs Japan: Betting Tips and Odds

• Match to end in a draw – 5/2 with Betfred
• Memphis Depay to score – 8/5 with Betfred
• Netherlands 2-2 Japan – 14/1 with Betfred

Injury and Team News

Netherlands World Cup squad

Bart Verbruggen picked a hip injury, but seems fit to start against Japan. Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber was forced to withdraw due to injury concerns. Koeman had to exclude De Ligt and Xavi Simmons after both failed to recover for the World Cup. Jerdy Schouten is also ruled out of the World Cup.

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Micky van de Ven (Spurs), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Mats Wieffer (Brighton)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Olympique Marseille)

Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray, on loan from Napoli), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)

Japan World Cup squad

Both Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo have been completely ruled out of Japan’s squad for the 2026 World Cup due to severe injuries. In their absence, Takefusa Kubo will have a big role to play.

Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki, Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa.

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki.

Midfielders: Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Yuito Suzuki.

Forwards: Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Ayase Ueda, Keito Nakamura, Kento Shiogai, Keisuke Goto.

Head-to-Head

Total games: 03

Netherlands won: 02

Japan won: 00

Matches drawn: 01

Predicted Lineups

Netherlands predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Bart Verbruggen (GK); Denzel Dumfries, Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven; Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong; Cody Gakpo, Tijjani Reijnders, Crysencio Summerville; Memphis Depay.

Japan predicted lineup (3-4-2-1)

Zion Suzuki (GK); Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Hiroki Ito; Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka, Keito Nakamura; Junya Ito, Takefusa Kubo; Ayase Ueda.

Match Prediction

Despite Japan being winless against the Netherlands, Japan have a good chance of pulling an upset. Both teams love playing an attacking brand of football, especially under Koeman, whose total football approach can act like a two-edged sword. We expect this game to end in a highly entertaining draw.

Prediction: Netherlands 2-2 Japan

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5,

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

Full Broadcaster List here.

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