Everything you need to follow Netherlands vs Japan Live — kick-off time, global TV channels, how to stream, squad news, and our Group F prediction for this blockbuster World Cup 2026 opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Netherlands vs Japan |
| Date | Sunday, June 14, 2026 |
| Kick-off (ET) | 4:00 PM ET |
| Kick-off (GMT) | 9:00 PM GMT |
| Kick-off (BST) | 9:00 PM BST |
| Kick-off (Netherlands Local) | 11:00 PM CEST |
| Kick-off (Japan Local) | 6:00 AM JST (June 15) |
| Venue | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, USA |
| Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group F |
How to Watch Netherlands vs Japan Live Stream Online
USA — FOX / FOX One App
- Visit foxsports.com or download the FOX One app on your device.
- Sign in with your TV provider credentials, or subscribe directly through FOX One.
- Search for “Netherlands vs Japan” or navigate to the World Cup 2026 hub.
- Hit play at 4:00 PM ET and enjoy the action — also available on Fubo TV for those without a cable subscription.
Canada — DAZN
- Go to dazn.com/ca or download the DAZN app on your smartphone, smart TV, or streaming stick.
- Subscribe to DAZN Canada (plans start from approximately CA$30/month).
- Search for “FIFA World Cup 2026” in the sports section.
- Select Netherlands vs Japan and stream from 4:00 PM ET on June 14.
UK — ITV1 / ITVX
- Tune in to ITV1 on your TV at 9:00 PM BST — the match is completely free-to-air.
- Alternatively, open the ITVX app or visit itvx.com on any device.
- No subscription is required; simply create a free ITVX account to stream online.
- The kick-off is live at 9:00 PM BST on Sunday, June 14.
Australia — SBS / Stan Sport
- Tune in free on SBS via traditional TV or stream live through the SBS On Demand app — no subscription needed.
- Alternatively, Stan Sport carries full World Cup coverage for those wanting more flexibility.
- The match kicks off at 7:00 AM AEST on Monday, June 15 — a rare early-morning treat.
- Download the SBS app from the App Store or Google Play to watch on mobile.
Netherlands — NOS (NPO 1 / NPO Start)
- Switch on NPO 1 for free-to-air live coverage — no subscription required anywhere in the Netherlands.
- Alternatively, stream via the NPO Start app on mobile, tablet, or smart TV.
- The match kicks off at 11:00 PM CEST — the Oranje’s most anticipated fixture of the group stage.
- All Netherlands World Cup matches are shown exclusively by public broadcaster NOS.
Japan — NHK / Nippon TV / Fuji TV / DAZN
- Japan fans can watch free on NHK (terrestrial, NHK+, or BS Premium 4K channels).
- Commercial broadcasters Nippon TV and Fuji TV also carry live coverage at no extra cost.
- For premium streaming, log in to DAZN Japan and navigate to the World Cup section.
- The match begins at 6:00 AM JST on Monday, June 15 — set that alarm.
Travelling abroad? Use a reputable VPN such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or Surfshark to connect to a server in your home country and access your regular broadcaster’s stream.
Always check your provider’s terms of service before using a VPN, and choose one with fast, reliable servers to avoid buffering.
Which TV Channels Will Broadcast Netherlands vs Japan?
| Region | TV Channel(s) | Kick-off Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FOX, Telemundo (Spanish), Peacock | 4:00 PM ET |
| Canada | DAZN Canada | 4:00 PM ET |
| UK | ITV1, ITVX | 9:00 PM BST |
| Australia | SBS, Stan Sport | 7:00 AM AEST (June 15) |
| Netherlands | NPO 1 / NOS | 11:00 PM CEST |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN | 6:00 AM JST (June 15) |
In the UK, ITV1 coverage is completely free-to-air and can be streamed without a TV licence via ITVX (online accounts only).
In the Netherlands, NOS holds exclusive rights and broadcasts every Dutch World Cup match free on NPO 1 — no pay-TV required. Japanese fans are particularly well served, with multiple free-to-air options alongside the premium DAZN platform.
Match Preview
The Netherlands arrive in Arlington as Group F favourites, ranked seventh in the world and carrying the weight of three World Cup final losses without a title. Japan, meanwhile, enter in electrifying form — six straight wins including a famous 1-0 victory at Wembley against England in March 2026.
Ronald Koeman’s side will likely set up in a 4-3-3, relying on the composure of Frenkie de Jong and the energy of Ryan Gravenberch to control possession.
Hajime Moriyasu is expected to deploy his trademark 3-4-2-1 that transitions into a disciplined 5-4-1 block, inviting Dutch pressure before striking on the counter.
The Netherlands must navigate the absence of Xavi Simons, who ruptured his ACL in April and is unavailable for the entire tournament.
Japan head into the contest without talismanic winger Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring surgery) and leading qualifier scorer Takumi Minamino (ACL), though Jurrien Timber is fit to feature for the Dutch after overcoming a groin issue — and the AT&T Stadium crowd is sure to generate an electric atmosphere.
Netherlands Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Bart Verbruggen | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 13 | GK | Robin Roefs | Sunderland |
| 22 | GK | Mark Flekken | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 4 | DEF | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool |
| 5 | DEF | Nathan Aké | Manchester City |
| 15 | DEF | Micky van de Ven | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 6 | DEF | Jan Paul van Hecke | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 19 | DEF | Denzel Dumfries | Inter Milan |
| 20 | DEF | Jorrel Hato | Chelsea |
| 2 | DEF | Jurriën Timber | Arsenal |
| 8 | MID | Ryan Gravenberch | Liverpool |
| 21 | MID | Frenkie de Jong | FC Barcelona |
| 14 | MID | Tijjani Reijnders | Manchester City |
| 23 | MID | Teun Koopmeiners | Juventus |
| 3 | MID | Marten de Roon | Atalanta |
| 16 | MID | Guus Til | PSV Eindhoven |
| 24 | MID | Quinten Timber | Olympique Marseille |
| 12 | MID | Mats Wieffer | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 7 | MID | Justin Kluivert | Bournemouth |
| 11 | FWD | Cody Gakpo | Liverpool |
| 18 | FWD | Donyell Malen | AS Roma |
| 10 | FWD | Memphis Depay | Corinthians |
| 9 | FWD | Wout Weghorst | Ajax |
| 17 | FWD | Noa Lang | Galatasaray |
| 25 | FWD | Brian Brobbey | Sunderland |
| 26 | FWD | Crysencio Summerville | West Ham United |
Key Players to Watch
- Virgil van Dijk: The captain and defensive spine of this squad — at 34 he remains one of the world’s best centre-backs, and his reading of the game will be vital against Japan’s rapid counters.
- Cody Gakpo: With Xavi Simons absent, Gakpo steps up as the Dutch creative fulcrum; his ability to play wide or centrally makes him Koeman’s most versatile and dangerous weapon.
- Memphis Depay: The Netherlands’ all-time top scorer with 55 international goals arrives carrying a hamstring knock from his spell at Corinthians, but Koeman’s faith in him is absolute — a fit Depay changes this game.
Japan Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Zion Suzuki | Parma Calcio |
| 12 | GK | Keisuke Osako | Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
| 23 | GK | Tomoki Hayakawa | Kashima Antlers |
| 3 | DEF | Ko Itakura | AFC Ajax |
| 22 | DEF | Takehiro Tomiyasu | AFC Ajax |
| 5 | DEF | Hiroki Ito | Bayern Munich |
| 14 | DEF | Shogo Taniguchi | Sint-Truiden |
| 6 | DEF | Tsuyoshi Watanabe | Feyenoord |
| 26 | DEF | Yuto Nagatomo | FC Tokyo |
| 19 | DEF | Yukinari Sugawara | Werder Bremen |
| 16 | DEF | Ayumu Seko | Le Havre |
| 21 | DEF | Junnosuke Suzuki | FC Copenhagen |
| 7 | MID | Wataru Endo | Liverpool |
| 10 | MID | Takefusa Kubo | Real Sociedad |
| 8 | MID | Daichi Kamada | Crystal Palace |
| 17 | MID | Ritsu Doan | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| 9 | MID | Junya Ito | Genk |
| 13 | MID | Ao Tanaka | Leeds United |
| 11 | MID | Keito Nakamura | Reims |
| 15 | MID | Kaishu Sano | Mainz |
| 20 | MID | Yuito Suzuki | SC Freiburg |
| 18 | FWD | Ayase Ueda | Feyenoord |
| 24 | FWD | Daizen Maeda | Celtic |
| 25 | FWD | Koki Ogawa | NEC Nijmegen |
| 4 | FWD | Kento Shiogai | VfL Wolfsburg |
| 2 | FWD | Keisuke Goto | Sint-Truiden |
Key Players to Watch
- Takefusa Kubo: With Mitoma absent, the Real Sociedad winger becomes Japan’s primary creative outlet — his ability to cut inside, combine in tight spaces, and deliver in big moments makes him the one the Dutch must contain.
- Wataru Endo: The Liverpool captain brings leadership, pressing intensity, and defensive intelligence to midfield; his ability to disrupt Dutch build-up play from Gravenberch and De Jong could be decisive.
- Ayase Ueda: The Feyenoord striker gives Japan a dynamic central reference point — his movement, link-up play, and pressing will test a Dutch back line that can be vulnerable in transition.
8. Upcoming Match Schedule
Netherlands — Next Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Stage | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | Japan | Group F | AT&T Stadium | 4:00 PM |
| June 20, 2026 | Sweden | Group F | NRG Stadium | 1:00 PM |
| June 25, 2026 | Tunisia | Group F | Arrowhead Stadium | 7:00 PM |
Japan — Next Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Stage | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | Netherlands | Group F | AT&T Stadium | 4:00 PM |
| June 20, 2026 | Tunisia | Group F | Estadio BBVA | 12:00 AM |
| June 25, 2026 | Sweden | Group F | AT&T Stadium | 7:00 PM |
Netherlands vs Japan Prediction
The Netherlands hold a clear edge on paper — a stronger squad, a higher FIFA ranking (7th vs 18th), and World Cup final pedigree that Japan simply cannot match.
That said, Koeman’s side have looked vulnerable in transition, and Japan’s electrifying counter-attacking press — sharpened by wins over England, Scotland, and Brazil — means the Oranje cannot afford a slow start.
We predict a Netherlands win, 2-1, with Gakpo and Depay doing enough to see off a spirited Japan side who will make the Dutch earn every point.
Football has a wonderful habit of tearing up predictions, and given Japan’s record of shocking Germany and Spain in Qatar, nothing can be taken for granted in Arlington.
FAQs
What time does Netherlands vs Japan kick off?
The match kicks off at 4:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM BST / 11:00 PM CEST on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Fans in Japan can tune in at 6:00 AM JST on Monday, June 15.
Where can I watch Netherlands vs Japan in the UK?
The match is available completely free on ITV1 and via the ITVX streaming platform — no subscription required. Simply create a free ITVX account to stream online.
What is the head-to-head record between Netherlands and Japan?
The two sides have met seven times, with the Netherlands holding the upper hand in most encounters. Their most recent clash was a 2-0 Japan win in the 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup — a result the Dutch will be eager to avenge on the biggest stage.
Who is the key player to watch in this match?
Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad is Japan’s standout threat following Kaoru Mitoma’s injury absence. For the Netherlands, Cody Gakpo’s versatility and big-game experience make him the player most likely to unlock Japan’s compact defensive block.
Who will win Netherlands vs Japan?
The Netherlands start as clear favourites given their squad depth and World Cup pedigree, but Japan arrive in exceptional form after six consecutive wins including a historic victory over England at Wembley. A Dutch win is the most likely outcome, though Japan are capable of causing an upset.
