NetherlandsvsJapan

Netherlands and Japan drew 2–2. Goalscorers — Netherlands: V. van Dijk 51', C. Summerville 64'; Japan: K. Nakamura 57', D. Kamada 88'.

Netherlands met Japan in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Dallas Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, June 14, 2026. It is one of the six matches in Group F, where the four sides each play three games and the top two advance directly to the Round of 32. With the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups also progressing, points here carry real weight from the opening whistle.

Netherlands go in ranked 8th in the FIFA World Ranking to Japan's 18th — a gap of 10 places that gives Netherlands the edge on paper. It is an inter-confederation meeting — Netherlands of UEFA against Japan of AFC — the kind of contrast in styles the World Cup exists to stage.

The Netherlands head to the 2026 World Cup as perennial contenders who are still searching for their first title despite a storied history in the sport. Under the guidance of Ronald Koeman, the Oranje have rebuilt into a competitive force after missing the 2018 World Cup entirely.

Japan arrive at the 2026 World Cup as Asia's strongest representative and a team that has demonstrated they can compete with the very best in the world. The Samurai Blue stunned both Germany and Spain in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, showcasing a level of tactical sophistication and technical quality that has been decades in the making.

Netherlands: The Netherlands have reached the World Cup final three times, in 1974, 1978, and 2010, but have never won the tournament, making them the most successful nation to have never lifted the trophy. Japan: Japan's best World Cup result was reaching the round of 16, which they have achieved four times: in 2002 as co-hosts, 2010, 2018, and 2022.

The match is scheduled at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, United States. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 08:00 PM (04:00 PM ET).