Group F of the World Cup will kick off as Netherlands and Japan fight to register the first points in the group.
EURO2024 semifinalists and UEFA Nations League quarterfinalists Netherlands will open their World Cup campaign in group F, against the Samurai Blue of Japan, who can boast of being at the last eight World Cups.
Netherlands will feel the odds to win this game are in their favor as they not only have the pedigree but a better group of players, compared to Japan.
THE WAIT IS OVER! 😍#NothingLikeOranje #FIFAWorldCup #NEDJPN pic.twitter.com/Y4wG6ujH1V
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 14, 2026
Despite being in their third golden generation, Netherlands are yet to win the World Cup title. No side has also come close as many times as they have and failed to win, as they finished second in 1974, 1978, and 2010.
Netherlands had a pretty underwhelming qualification run and were beaten in a high-profile World Cup friendly vs Algeria. Koeman has however, urged his players to use the loss as a launchpad coming into the World Cup.
Japan are a dominant force in Asia and have built a reputation for causing upsets at the World Cup. In their pre-World Cup friendlies, they beat Brazil and England, showing that they can compete with the best of the best. In 2022, they also beat Germany and Spain, which serves as a warning for Netherlands ahead of their group opener.
Our #FIFAWorldCup opener! 🇳🇱🇯🇵
Be ready, Dallas! 🤠#NothingLikeOranje #NEDJPN pic.twitter.com/xIYpkB72z3
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 13, 2026
Team News
Both have seen players withdraw from the World Cup. Timber failed to recover fully from his groin injury, while Wataru Endo failed to recover from a foot injury and announced his retirement from international football.
Netherlands also have another problem as first-choice goalkeeper Verbruggen suffered a hip injury in their final warm-up game, leaving Ronald Koeman with a big decision to make.
Netherlands vs Japan Predicted Starting XI
Netherlands Predicted Starting XI:
Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; De Jong, Gravenberch; Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay
Japan Predicted Starting XI:
Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, H. Ito; Doan, Kamada, Tanaka, Nakamura; J. Ito, Kubo; Ueda
