Netherlands v Japan prediction, lineups & tips: World Cup 2026 Group F opener

Netherlands kick off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in Group F having absorbed a run of injury blows that would unsettle any squad. Ronald Koeman's side head to Dallas without Xavi Simons, Jurrien Timber, Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij, a list of absentees long enough to cast genuine doubt on their ceiling in this tournament. Yet they remain the highest-ranked side in the group and, on paper, possess more than enough quality to win it.

Japan arrive in Texas with their own disruption. Captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the squad on 11 June after failing to recover from a foot injury he sustained in February, and simultaneously announced his retirement from international football. It is a major blow, Endo has been the engine of Moriyasu's midfield for years, and it lands just days before the opening whistle.

Netherlands qualified for the 2026 finals by topping their European group without a defeat, winning six of eight games and scoring 27 times in the process, with Memphis Depay contributing eight goals. Koeman's 4-2-3-1 has been largely settled, with Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch anchoring midfield and Tijjani Reijnders operating as the key creative force in behind Depay now that Simons is gone. Cody Gakpo carries additional goalscoring responsibility from the left. The defence, however, has been reshuffled on the fly: Timber's late withdrawal with a groin injury prompted the call-up of Sunderland's Lutsharel Geertruida, while the absence of de Ligt and de Vrij means Koeman leans heavily on Virgil van Dijk to marshal a rebuilt back line.

Japan, ranked 18th by FIFA and widely viewed as dark horses, have the scalps to justify that billing. They beat Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup, then defeated Brazil and England in the build-up to this tournament. They have qualified for the finals for the eighth time and, in the view of many observers, carry their most talented squad to date. Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan and Daichi Kamada provide genuine threat going forward. The loss of Endo, though, leaves a hole that Ao Tanaka or Kaishu Sano will have to fill in front of a defence that will spend long periods under pressure from the Dutch.

Koeman described the Simons injury in April as "dramatic", not only for the player but for the team, acknowledging that the 23-year-old was a player of real talent and potential. With both Simons and Jerdy Schouten having ruptured ACLs in the months before the tournament, Koeman confirmed: "We are going to ensure the strongest possible side at the World Cup." Crysencio Summerville has been selected to fill the right-wing role vacated by the absent Jeremie Frimpong, whose injury-disrupted club season cost him his place.

On the Japan side, Takefusa Kubo addressed the emotional weight of carrying Endo's departure into the opener. He said: "I want to carry Mitoma's feelings with me and give my all with an even greater sense of responsibility", a reference to Brighton forward Kaoru Mitoma, who also missed the cut through injury. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu, speaking at the squad announcement, maintained his belief that Japan are capable of causing a major stir in North America despite the absences.

Koeman's 4-2-3-1 looks settled in shape if not personnel. With Timber out and Geertruida freshly called up, the Dutch back four is likely to feature Nathan Ake on the left, van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke as the central pairing, and Denzel Dumfries on the right. Gravenberch and Frenkie de Jong screen the defence. Reijnders sits as the number 10 with Gakpo on the left and Summerville on the right, Depay leading the line, though Malen's candidacy for the starting berth cannot be ruled out.

Moriyasu is expected to set up in his usual 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. With Endo gone, Ao Tanaka and Kaishu Sano are the likeliest midfield pairing. Kubo starts on the right wing, Doan on the left, with Ayase Ueda through the middle.

Netherlands: Flekken; Dumfries, van Hecke, van Dijk, Ake; Gravenberch, F de Jong; Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Depay

Japan: Z Suzuki; Sugawara, Itakura, H Ito, Nagatomo; Ao Tanaka, Sano; Kubo, Kamada, Doan; Ueda

Netherlands v Japan kicks off at 21:00 BST on Sunday, 14 June 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Coverage in the UK is on ITV1, with pre-match from 20:15 BST. You can stream live via ITVX, free with a registered account and a valid TV licence.