Group F standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What each team needs
Netherlands
A win in their opening match would put Netherlands in a strong position to advance from Group F.
Japan
An opening win over Netherlands would be a major statement and strengthen Japan's chances of progressing.
Team comparison
| Stat | Netherlands | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 6 | 16 |
| World Cup Titles | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 11 | 8 |
| Best WC Finish | Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010) | Round of 16 (2002, 2018, 2022) |
| Manager | Ronald Koeman | Hajime Moriyasu |
| How They Qualified | UEFA — Group D winners | AFC 3rd Round — Group C winners |
| 2022 World Cup | Quarterfinals — lost to Argentina on pens | Round of 16 — lost to Croatia on pens |
| Captain | Virgil van Dijk | Wataru Endō |
Prediction
Netherlands 2 — 1 Japan
Based on FIFA rankings and recent form. Netherlands (ranked 6th) enters as the slight favourite.
Match facts
Netherlands have appeared at 11 World Cups. Japan have appeared at 8.
Netherlands are ranked 6th in the world. Japan are ranked 16th.
This match takes place at AT&T Stadium, which is one of the 16 World Cup 2026 venues.
How to watch
| Region | Broadcast |
|---|---|
| USA (English) | FOX / FOX Sports App |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo / Peacock |
| UK | BBC / ITV (TBC) |
| Worldwide | FIFA+ (select territories) |
Venue
AT&T Stadium · Arlington · Capacity: 70,122
Full stadium guide →