Netherland flags fill a section of seats during a Japan men's national football team walk-thru on the pitch at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The two teams will face one another on Sunday in the first of nine FIFA World Cup matches at the stadium.

Netherland flags fill a section of seats during a Japan men’s national football team walk-thru on the pitch at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The two teams will face one another on Sunday in the first of nine FIFA World Cup matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News

The first of nine World Cup matches in North Texas kicks off on Sunday.

The opening match in Group F sees the three-time World Cup runner-up Netherlands take on one of the darlings of the 2022 tournament, Japan. The matchup takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, renamed Dallas Stadium for the duration of the World Cup.

Here’s everything to know about the matchup.

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How to watch Japan vs. the Netherlands

An official FIFA World Cup soccer ball is on display during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

An official FIFA World Cup soccer ball is on display during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsNetherlands men's national football midfielder Frenkie de Jong responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. He was joined by head coach Ronald Koeman (right). The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Netherlands men’s national football midfielder Frenkie de Jong responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. He was joined by head coach Ronald Koeman (right). The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsNetherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsNetherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (center, right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong (center, left) joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (center, right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong (center, left) joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsMembers of the press fill the interview room to hear from Netherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Members of the press fill the interview room to hear from Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsMembers of the press fill the interview room to hear from Netherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Members of the press fill the interview room to hear from Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsMembers of the press fill the interview room to hear from Netherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Members of the press fill the interview room to hear from Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsNetherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsNetherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsNetherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsDallas Stadium is seen, one day before a World Cup Group F soccer match on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Arlington.

Dallas Stadium is seen, one day before a World Cup Group F soccer match on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Arlington.

NAME GOES HERE/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan manager Hajime Moriyasu walks in the field, one day before a World Cup Group F soccer match on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Arlington.

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu walks in the field, one day before a World Cup Group F soccer match on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Arlington.

NAME GOES HERE/The Dallas Morning NewsMembers of the Japan men's national football team walk-beneath suspended a LED grass grow lighting system at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Japan will face the Netherlands Sunday in the first of nine FIFA World Cup matches at the stadium.

Members of the Japan men’s national football team walk-beneath suspended a LED grass grow lighting system at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Japan will face the Netherlands Sunday in the first of nine FIFA World Cup matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsMembers of the Japan men's national football team walk-beneath suspended a LED grass grow lighting system at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Japan will face the Netherlands Sunday in the first of nine FIFA World Cup matches at the stadium.

Members of the Japan men’s national football team walk-beneath suspended a LED grass grow lighting system at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Japan will face the Netherlands Sunday in the first of nine FIFA World Cup matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning NewsMembers of the media watch as Japan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Members of the media watch as Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team’s Yuto Nagatomo takes part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team’s Yuto Nagatomo takes part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsPlayers from Japan inspect the pitch on the eve of a World Cup Group F soccer match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Arlington.

Players from Japan inspect the pitch on the eve of a World Cup Group F soccer match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Arlington.

Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players take part during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsA Trionda ball is visible during a Japan men’s team training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

A Trionda ball is visible during a Japan men’s team training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning NewsJapan men's national soccer team players warm up during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Japan men’s national soccer team players warm up during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup Group F match against the Netherlands on Saturday, June 13, 2026 in Dallas.

Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News

Where: Dallas Stadium, Arlington

TV/streaming: FOX Sports, Telemundo; streaming live on Peacock

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What to know about the Netherlands

Netherlands men's national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Netherlands men’s national football team head coach Ronald Koeman (right) responds to reporters questions during a FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong joined him in the press room. The Netherlands will face Japan Sunday in the first of nine matches at the stadium.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News

World Cup appearances: 12

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Best finish: Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)

Base camp city: Kansas City, Mo.

Overview: The creators of so-called “total football” in the 1970s, the Netherlands has always been easy on the eye, but it has never been enough to get it over the line at a World Cup.

Coach Ronald Koeman — in his second spell in charge of the national team — is hoping to end his country’s wait. He won major honors with the Netherlands as a player when lifting the European Championship in 1988 and he was a runner-up in the Nations League in 2019 in his last spell in charge.

Players to watch for the Netherlands

The Netherlands can call on Premier League stars like Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders and Cody Gakpo, but perhaps lacks some of the top-tier talent of previous generations.

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What to know about Japan

Japan men's national football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu laughs aloud before starting his FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026.

Japan men’s national football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu laughs aloud before starting his FIFA press conference at Dallas Stadium, in Arlington, June 13, 2026.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News

World Cup appearances: 8

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Best finish: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)

Base camp city: Nashville, Tenn.

Overview: Japan will enter the 2026 World Cup without maybe its best offensive player, as Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma was held off the final squad as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered in May.  

The 28-year-old was an impact player four years ago and had an improbable assist (keeping the ball in bounds at the endline by millimeters) against Spain to help propel Japan to the top of its group.

Players to watch for Japan

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Japan will have to rely on its other professional talent to advance in 2026, including Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada.

Official Dallas Morning News prediction

Despite Japan being one of the more injury-riddled squads in the tournament with the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino and, most recently, captain Wataru Endo being ruled out, the nation is still one of the more intriguing teams at the World Cup. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has Japan playing a very cohesive system that triggers attacks utilizing what attacking weapons the team does have, such as Ritsu Doan at right wingback connecting with Take Kubo on the wing.

The issue for Japan will not only be maintaining possession against a Netherlands team that has ballplayers from front-to-back but also cracking arguably the best backline in the field. 

Even without a presumed starter, Jurrien Timber, the Netherlands will likely roll out a backline of Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mickey van de Ven and Denzel Dumfries that’s talented enough to rival any other nation’s starting defense. 

That, paired with a midfield trio of Tijani Reijnders, Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch, the Dutch are poised to dominate possession and get the ball into the likes of Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo. Expect Japan to try to focus its attack through the Doan-Kubo combination on the right. 

Although Japan is still a clear favorite to emerge from this group to the knockouts, the Netherlands is one of the stronger starting XIs in the field and should control this one as the heavy favorite to win the group. 

Prediction: Netherlands 2, Japan 0