Netherlands and Japan open their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F campaigns on Sunday, June 14, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what is arguably the most intriguing fixture of the opening round.
Both sides enter with genuine ambitions beyond the group stage. The Netherlands, three-time World Cup finalists and 2022 quarter-finalists, arrive as the bookmakers’ favourites in Group F but have shown unconvincing form in pre-tournament friendlies. Japan arrive battle-hardened, having beaten Germany, Spain, Brazil, and England in recent competition, and are widely regarded as one of the most dangerous dark horses in the entire tournament.
In this blog, you will find everything you need about how to watch Netherlands vs Japan, including kick-off times, broadcast options, team news, squad lists, tactical analysis, and tournament context.
Key Details
- Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 4:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. CDT / 9:00 p.m. BST / 5:00 a.m. JST (June 15)
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA
- Where to Watch: Fox / Telemundo (USA) | ITV1 / ITVX (UK) | SBS (Australia) | NOS (Netherlands) | DAZN / NHK / Fuji TV / Nippon TV (Japan)
Where to Watch Netherlands vs. Japan Football World Cup Match?
In the USA, Fox carries the English-language broadcast of Netherlands vs Japan, with Telemundo providing Spanish-language coverage. Both are available free to air.
In the UK, ITV1 holds the free-to-air rights with coverage beginning at 8:15 p.m. BST ahead of the 9 p.m. kick-off. UK viewers can also stream via the ITVX app at no cost.
In Australia, SBS broadcasts the match free to air. Netherlands fans can watch domestically on NOS, which holds the rights to all 104 matches. In Japan, DAZN holds primary streaming rights, while NHK, Fuji TV, and Nippon TV carry free-to-air coverage of all Samurai Blue fixtures including this one.
How to Watch Netherlands vs. Japan with a VPN
If Netherlands vs Japan is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access through ITVX, the UK’s free streaming service.
ITVX is geoblocked to the United Kingdom, meaning users outside the UK cannot access it without a VPN that provides a British IP address.
Follow these steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to obtain a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for Netherlands vs Japan and start streaming live.
Note: Always check PureVPN’s terms of service and the broadcaster’s terms of use before streaming. PureVPN usage is legal in most countries.
Netherlands vs. Japan FIFA World Cup 2026 Team News
Netherlands Team News
Ronald Koeman, now in his second stint as Netherlands head coach, guided the Oranje through UEFA qualifying unbeaten in eight games, scoring 27 goals across the campaign. Koeman, who won the European Championship as a player in 1988 and has twice managed the national team, led the side to the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup and to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2024.
The build-up to this tournament was disrupted by two significant injury blows. Xavi Simons, regarded as a potential attacking starter, was ruled out with a serious knee injury before the squad was announced. Jurrien Timber then suffered a groin problem and was withdrawn, with Lutsharel Geertruida called in as replacement. Pre-tournament friendlies did little to boost confidence: the Netherlands lost 1-0 to Algeria in Rotterdam and only narrowly defeated Uzbekistan, with Guus Til sent off late on.
Virgil van Dijk captains the side and anchors a defensively strong backline, while Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch are expected to operate in midfield. Memphis Depay, the nation’s all-time leading scorer, returned from a thigh injury in late May and is available. Donyell Malen arrives in outstanding form having scored 14 goals in 18 Serie A appearances for Roma following his January move from Aston Villa.
Japan Team News
Hajime Moriyasu, in charge of Japan since 2018, enters his second World Cup as the Samurai Blue manager. He oversaw Japan’s historic 2022 campaign in Qatar, where the side defeated both Germany and Spain before losing to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16. In the lead-up to this tournament, Japan recorded wins over Brazil, England, and Scotland in international friendlies, establishing themselves as legitimate dark horses.
Japan were dealt a devastating blow on June 11, just three days before their opening fixture, when captain Wataru Endo was withdrawn from the squad with a Lisfranc foot injury and announced his immediate retirement from international football. The Liverpool midfielder, who had 73 caps and captained the team throughout qualifying, had undergone surgery in February and was unable to reach full fitness in time. Endo lasted only one half in the May 31 warm-up friendly against Iceland before being withdrawn.
Ko Itakura, the Ajax centre-back who wore the armband in Japan’s March friendly against Colombia, was confirmed as replacement captain. Borussia Monchengladbach striker Shuto Machino was named as Endo’s replacement in the squad. Japan also had to leave out Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, a key creative threat, due to injury, compounding the squad disruption ahead of this critical opener. Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, now at Ajax, returned after almost two years away from the national team due to injury, in a major boost for the backline.
Netherlands World Cup 2026 Squad
Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen, Mark Flekken, Robin Roefs
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Nathan Ake, Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Jorrel Hato, Lutsharel Geertruida, Mats Wieffer
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders, Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon, Guus Til, Quinten Timber
Attackers: Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Justin Kluivert, Brian Brobbey, Noa Lang, Crysencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst
Japan World Cup 2026 Squad
Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki, Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa
Defenders: Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki
Midfielders: Ao Tanaka, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Takefusa Kubo, Yuito Suzuki, Kaishu Sano, Keito Nakamura
Forwards: Ayase Ueda, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, Keisuke Goto, Shuto Machino
Netherlands vs. Japan Match Preview
Netherlands and Japan meet at AT&T Stadium on June 14 in the opening game of Group F, a fixture that could define the group standings from the outset. The two sides have one World Cup meeting in their history: a 1-0 Netherlands win at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, courtesy of a Wesley Sneijder goal during a campaign that took the Dutch all the way to the final.
The Netherlands qualified from UEFA Group G as winners, going unbeaten across eight games, but their form on arrival in North America raised eyebrows. A pre-tournament defeat to Algeria was followed by a narrow win over Uzbekistan that did little to inspire confidence. Japan, by contrast, arrived on a six-match winning run that included historic wins over Brazil and England, confirming their status as one of the most in-form sides heading into the tournament.
The loss of Wataru Endo hours before this fixture adds a significant question mark over Japan’s midfield structure. Ko Itakura steps up as captain but is a centre-back by trade, and Moriyasu will need to reshape the engine room without his most experienced defensive midfielder. For the Netherlands, the stakes are high too: a loss here would put them under immediate pressure with Sweden and Tunisia still to come.
Tactical Outlook
Ronald Koeman is expected to set up in a 4-3-3 system with Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch controlling the midfield. Tijjani Reijnders operates as the number 10 in the absence of Xavi Simons, and Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen provide width and attacking threat from the flanks.
Hajime Moriyasu typically deploys a 3-4-3 structure, relying on pressing intensity and rapid transitions. Without Endo anchoring the midfield, Daichi Kamada and Ao Tanaka will carry greater responsibility in disrupting the Dutch build-up play, and Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan will be asked to lead the press from advanced positions.
The key matchup runs between Denzel Dumfries at right back and Japan’s left-sided attackers. Ayase Ueda, who won the Eredivisie Golden Boot in the Netherlands last season, gives Japan a physical central option against Van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke. For the Netherlands to control the tie, they must win the midfield battle and limit Japan’s counter-attacking pace before it develops.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 14 | Germany vs Curacao | Houston |
| June 14 | Netherlands vs Japan | Dallas (AT&T Stadium) |
| June 14 | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | Philadelphia |
| June 14 | Haiti vs Scotland | Boston |
| June 15 | Sweden vs Tunisia | Monterrey |
| June 15 | Spain vs Cabo Verde | Atlanta |
| June 15 | Belgium vs Egypt | Seattle |
| June 15 | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | Miami |
| June 16 | France vs Senegal | New York/NJ |
| June 16 | Iraq vs Norway | Boston |
| June 17 | England vs Croatia | Dallas |
| June 17 | Portugal vs Congo DR | Houston |
| June 20 | Netherlands vs Sweden | Houston |
| June 21 | Tunisia vs Japan | Monterrey |
| June 25 | Japan vs Sweden | Dallas |
| June 25 | Tunisia vs Netherlands | Kansas City |
FIFA World Cup 2026: The Biggest Football Tournament in History
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, the 2026 World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in FIFA World Cup 2026
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event in order to comply with FIFA’s corporate name policy.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will have a half-time show. Coldplay will be involved in putting together the event at MetLife Stadium, in a move inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl.
The Stars to Watch in FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for FIFA World Cup 2026
The prize money for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
FIFA World Cup 2026 official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2026 in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 FIFA World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament, it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Netherlands vs Japan kicks off on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET (9:00 p.m. BST) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Both nations are in Group F alongside Sweden and Tunisia. The top two teams from Group F advance to the round of 32.
Ajax centre-back Ko Itakura was confirmed as Japan captain after Wataru Endo withdrew from the squad on June 11 due to a Lisfranc foot injury and announced his international retirement.
VPN use is legal in most countries. Using PureVPN to access ITVX from outside the UK may go against ITVX’s terms of service, however. Always check the terms of service for the streaming platform you are accessing before using a VPN.
The Netherlands lost 1-0 to Algeria in their final home friendly and then narrowly defeated Uzbekistan in a pre-tournament match in the USA, with Guus Til sent off late on. Ronald Koeman’s side entered the tournament with their form under scrutiny despite a strong qualifying campaign.
