Netherlands are hoping to break their duck when they kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Japan at the AT&T Stadium on Sunday night.
This will be the first match in a rather competitive Group D, with Sweden and Tunisia set to take to the field on Monday morning in Monterrey.
No other side has lost as many FIFA World Cup finals without winning the trophy. The Dutch have lost three finals, most recently losing 1-0 to Spain in the 2010 edition of the tournament.
Ronald Koeman’s side went through qualifying unbeaten, winning six games and sharing the spoils in the other two. Netherlands also scored a staggering 27 goals and conceded just four in that run.
Betting glossary – 50 terms every punter should know
They face a Japan side who were the first side to book a spot in this year’s competition and are unbeaten in their last two World Cup openers. This will be their eighth consecutive appearance in the tournament.
The Dutch come into the game as favorites, having not lost their opening World Cup game since 1938. They also boast the longest unbeaten run in the Group stages, playing 16 matches without defeat since 1994.
Can Ronald Koeman rewrite history with Oranje at this edition or will Japan cause an early upset here? Here we have a look at both teams ahead of the clash and offer our predicted outcome.
Betway
What time does Netherlands vs Japan start?
The game kicks off at 10PM E.A.T at the AT&T Stadium.
Netherlands vs Japan team news
Number one goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen suffered an injury in their final warm-up game against Uzbekistan and will sit this one out. Bayer Leverkusen’s Mark Flekken replaced him and he will start here.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber was ruled out of the competition with an injury, with Denzel Dumfries and Mickey Van de Ven set to start on either flank in defense.
Tijani Reijnders and Frenkie De Jong will start in midfield, with all-time top scorer Memphis Depay set to lead the attacking line.
Cody Gakpo scored a brace in their last outing, and he will retain his place in the starting XI.
Japan will be without Wataru Endo, but they have no new injury concerns ahead of kick-off.
Koki Ogawa has scored two goals in his last five appearances for the Blue Samurai and will start, as well as Ayase Ueda who was involved in 10 goals during qualifying.
Africa Picks Group Acquires SA Cricket Magazine, Soccer Magazine and SoccerZela
Netherlands vs Japan head-to-head and current form
The Dutch come into the game with only one defeat in their last 13 matches, a 1-0 defeat to Algeria in a pre-tournament friendly.
Japan on the other hand bring a six-game winning streak to the Group D clash, scoring 11 goals and conceding just two.
However, Japan have never beaten Netherlands in the three matches played against them. They have lost twice and drawn another.
Betway
Current form:
Netherlands – WLDWW
Japan – WWWWW
Netherlands vs Japan previous games
- Netherlands 2-2 Japan (November 16, 2013)
- Netherlands 1-0 Japan (June 19, 2010)
- Netherlands 3-0 Japan (September 5, 2009)
Netherlands vs Japan prediction
Koeman’s charges have the advantage ahead of this clash and their previous performances in World Cup openers, a slim win is a very likely outcome.
However, Japan are on a great run of form, and they should not be written off. They have shown consistency in scoring goals and are likely to get one here as well.
Prediction – Both teams to score
ZarBet
- Very strong sign up offer
- Fast app on iOS & Android
- Extensive betting content
