Netherlands and Japan finish 2‑2 in World Cup 2026 opener

The opening Group F match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas ended in a 2‑2 draw. Virgil van Dijk put the Netherlands ahead with a header in the 51st minute, and Crysencio Summerville doubled the lead shortly after. Japan equalised late, with Daichi Kamada heading home in the 88th minute.

Coach Ronald Koeman defended his late defensive substitutions – bringing on Memphis Depay, Teun Koopmeiners, Quinten Timber and later Nathan Aké – saying he “saw the team struggling” and had “no regrets” about the changes. He also noted that Japan “became stronger after our opening goal”.

Midfielder Frenkie de Jong said the Dutch side “can beat anyone, the goal is the world title” but admitted the squad is “under‑dogs compared with Spain and France”.

The atmosphere in the AT&T Stadium was electric, with thousands of Dutch fans creating a festive mood in Dallas, while many Dutch cities showed little public celebration, a contrast highlighted by a survey showing low domestic enthusiasm for the tournament.

Overall, the match showcased a tightly contested game, with both coaches and players acknowledging the need for better midfield cohesion and sharper finishing as the tournament progresses.