The opening match of Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup pits two potential dark horses against each other, as the Netherlands take on Japan in Dallas.
The Dutch have never won the tournament despite reaching the final three times, but they will be keen to progress to the latter stages in North America. Captain Virgil van Dijk leads a defense with impressive strength in depth, while manager Ronald Koeman can call on several premium options in midfield, including Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie De Jong and Tijjani Reijnders. However, expectations were perhaps tempered by two uninspiring warm-up matches, which saw the Netherlands lose 1-0 at home to Algeria and beat Uzbekistan 2-1 thanks to a last-minute winner.
Japan attracted attention at the 2022 World Cup by beating Germany and Spain to top their group, although they then lost to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16. Impressive wins against Brazil and England over the past 12 months have underlined their status as dark horses and they will believe they can take points from the Netherlands, on paper the strongest team in Group F. Hajime Moriyasu’s side will, however, be without Brighton striker Kaoru Mitoma and Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino, who could hurt their chances.
So read on as we show you exactly how to watch Netherlands vs Japan for free in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How to watch Netherlands vs Japan for free
Netherlands vs Japan is available for free in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.
Abroad? Having trouble accessing your free stream? Unlock your free World Cup stream with NortonVPN – more on this below.
Use a VPN to watch Netherlands vs Japan live streams
It’s the World Cup, and if you travel, you might discover your Netherlands vs Japan The feed is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.
Don’t worry, this is exactly where a VPN can help you. A Virtual Private Network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were at home.
We recommend NortonVPN. Here’s why:
How to watch Netherlands vs. Japan in the United States
American viewers can watch Netherlands vs Japan on Fox.
You can watch every World Cup game on Fox and FS1, available on cord cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (certain markets), Fubo Or DirectTV.
Those looking for a streaming service can instead watch Netherlands vs Japan on Fox One (3-day free trial).
Visiting the USA from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup streaming for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).
How to watch Netherlands vs Japan in the UK
UK customers are lucky because they can stream Netherlands vs Japan for free on ITV. Live coverage is available on ITV1 And ITVX.
You need a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (eg SE1 7PB).
NortonVPN can unblock your stream if you’re abroad today.
How to watch Netherlands vs Japan in Australia
Netherlands vs Japan will be broadcast for free in Australia on SBS on demand.
The streaming platform offers every match of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place to watch the World Cup.
Are you traveling for work or on vacation? A VPN like NortonVPN can help you unlock your free stream.
How to watch Netherlands vs Japan in Canada
In Canada, TSN and free channel Connected TV will broadcast Netherlands vs Japan.
You can stream live via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.
Outside of Canada? To use NortonVPN while you travel away from home to unblock your feed.
Netherlands vs Japan: Match Information
What time does Netherlands vs Japan start?
Netherlands vs Japan kick-off will be at 9:00 p.m. BST / 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday June 14. It will be 6:00 a.m. AEST on Monday June 15 in the United States.
Who are the teams for the Netherlands vs Japan match?
The Netherlands
Goalkeepers: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton), Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland).
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Lutsharel Geertruida (RB Leipzig), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Noah Lang (Galatasaray), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Advantages: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Donyell Malen (AS Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham United), Wout Weghorst (Ajax).
Japan
Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Aya Suzuka (Parma Calcio).
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre AC), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junosuke Suzuki (FC Copenhagen).
Midfield: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad).
Advantages: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims), Ito Suzuki (SC Fribourg), Kento Shiode (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Saint-Truiden).
|
Position |
Team |
DG |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
The Netherlands |
0 |
0 |
|
2 |
Japan |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
Suede |
0 |
0 |
|
4 |
Tunisia |
0 |
0 |
Can I watch Netherlands vs Japan on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters offer streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or through your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up to date with all the key moments from the World Cup on the official social channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).
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