Netherlands-Japan Starting XIs Announced

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F opening match, the starting XIs of Netherlands and Japan have been announced. The match will start at 23:00 Turkey time at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Netherlands under Ronald Koeman's management is on the field with 4-3-3 formation; team captain Virgil van Dijk is in the centre of defence. Japan under Hajime Moriyasu's management is on the field with 3-4-2-1 formation; Ritsu Doan takes the captaincy role in the national team. On the Netherlands side, Quinten Timber is not in the squad due to a groin injury, while on the Japan front, Wataru Endo is not in the squad due to a foot injury.

Netherlands XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Bart Verbruggen
Defence: Denzel Dumfries - Virgil van Dijk (C) - Jan Paul van Hecke - Micky van de Ven
Midfield: Tijjani Reijnders - Frenkie de Jong - Ryan Gravenberch
Attack line: Cody Gakpo - Donyell Malen - Crysencio Summerville

Japan XI (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Zion Suzuki
Defence: Takehiro Watanabe - Shogo Taniguchi - Hiroki Ito
Midfield: Ritsu Doan (C) - Daichi Kamada - Kohei Sano - Keito Nakamura
Attacking 10: Takefusa Kubo - Daizen Maeda
Forward: Ayase Ueda

In the Netherlands, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo and Roma's 2025-26 Serie A top scorer Donyell Malen will play together in the attacking line; Leeds United's Crysencio Summerville is on the field on the right wing. Alongside midfield stars Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch is Milan's Tijjani Reijnders. In the left-back position, Wolverhampton's Micky van de Ven is on duty. On the Japan side, surprise selections draw attention: Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma is not in the squad after failing to recover from injury, while Reims' young midfielder Ao Tanaka and Japan international Junya Ito remained in the substitute dressing room. Real Sociedad's star Takefusa Kubo and Celtic's successful forward Daizen Maeda are on the field together in the attacking 10 role; Feyenoord's goalscoring forward Ayase Ueda is positioned as the leader of the attacking line.

Image: striver.football