Netherlands vs. Japan LIVE: Minute-by-minute updates and latest score from World Cup clash

Hello and welcome to FootballWhispers' live commentary of the World Cup 2026 Group F encounter between the Netherlands and Japan from Arlington!

The Dutch come into the 48-team tournament still on the hunt for their first-ever global triumph on the senior men's circuit, while the Samurai Blue have earned the label of dark horses, thanks in no small part to a shock victory over England during their warm-up period.

Make sure you do not miss a beat with our live play-by-play below!

Netherlands vs. Japan: What's the story?

Beaten finalists in 2010, beaten semi-finalists in 2014 and beaten quarter-finalists in 2022, the Netherlands' performances at the Mundial have slowly worsened since they were sunk by Andres Iniesta in South Africa.

Ronald Koeman at least oversaw a straightforward Qualifying process, as the Netherlands earned their ticket to the 2026 tournament courtesy of six wins and two draws in their UEFA section, only dropping points against Poland.

However, Oranje did not cover themselves in glory during their warm-up period, suffering a 1-0 loss to Algeria prior to a narrow 2-1 win over Uzbekistan, against whom they needed two Cody Gakpo penalties to get over the line.

The Netherlands cannot call upon Xavi Simons or Jurrien Timber owing to fitness problems, but all-time leading scorer Memphis Depay is in, aiming to add to his 55 Oranje efforts.

Meanwhile, Japan kick off Group F on the hunt for a seventh straight victory, and a sixth in a row with a clean sheet, having shut out all of Iceland, England, Scotland, Bolivia and Ghana following a statement 3-2 success over Brazil.

Hajime Moriyasu's men became the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, winning all six of their second-round matches before taking 23 points from a possible 30 to top their third-round section, four points clear of Australia.

Japan have been hit with some injury blows of their own, though, as tricky Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Kaoru Mitoma is not present owing to a hamstring injury, while Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the tournament and international football entirely.