Japan to open 2026 World Cup against Netherlands

Japan's national football team will play the Netherlands in the opening group‑stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game is scheduled for 5:00 a.m. Japan time on 15 June (local time 14 June) at Dallas Stadium in the United States. The Netherlands, ranked eighth in the FIFA rankings and coached by Robert Kram, are expected to line up in a 4‑3‑3 formation, with candidates such as Dani de Plaen, Memphis Depay and others mentioned in pre‑match analyses.

Japan qualified for the tournament after a record‑fast Asian qualifying campaign, winning every match with a 24‑goal surplus and conceding none. The team, led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, aims to maintain a “gap‑free” approach, a point emphasized by midfielder Ritsu Doan ahead of the match. International fans have expressed strong excitement over the head‑to‑head, marking it as a highly anticipated opening encounter of the expanded 48‑team World Cup.