This should be a cracker!
The Netherlands begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with one of the most intriguing fixtures of the opening round as they take on Japan in Dallas.
Group F looks one of the most competitive groups in the tournament, with Sweden and Tunisia also capable of causing problems, meaning both sides will be desperate to start with three points.
Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands arrive in North America carrying plenty of expectation. The Dutch reached the quarter-finals in Qatar four years ago and are once again being tipped as dark horses thanks to a squad packed with Premier League and Champions League talent.
Memphis Depay has been declared fit for the opener, while Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo form the backbone of a side many believe can challenge for the latter stages.
Japan, however, are no longer a team that Europe’s elite can underestimate.
The Samurai Blue have built a reputation for causing major upsets at World Cups, famously beating both Germany and Spain in 2022, and head into this tournament on the back of an impressive run of results.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side have recorded victories over England, Scotland and Brazil during the past year and are widely viewed as one of the strongest Asian teams ever to compete at a World Cup.
The Netherlands remain favourites, but this is expected to be far closer than many of the other opening fixtures.
Both Teams To Score
While the Dutch possess plenty of attacking quality, Japan have become one of the most dangerous counter-attacking sides in international football.
The Netherlands scored 27 goals in qualifying and averaged more than three goals per game during that campaign, but Japan have also been prolific, netting 51 goals during qualification and carrying a genuine threat through players such as Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda.
Japan have beaten England and Brazil in recent months, proving they can create chances against elite opposition, while the Dutch have kept relatively few clean sheets against top-level nations. Both teams finding the net looks an attractive option.
Cody Gakpo Anytime Goalscorer
If the Netherlands are to make a deep run in this tournament, Cody Gakpo will likely play a major role.
The Liverpool forward remains one of the Dutch side’s biggest attacking weapons and is expected to start on the left side of the front three.
With Japan likely to press high and leave space in behind, Gakpo’s pace and direct running could prove decisive. Several previews have identified him as the Dutch player most likely to make the difference in the final third.
Given his record for both club and country, backing Gakpo to get on the scoresheet looks a solid angle.
Score Prediction: Netherlands 2-1 Japan
