Netherlands and Japan Start Group F Battle at 2026 FIFA World Cup with Goalless Draw. The Netherlands vs Japan match is underway in Dallas at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both teams started energetically, with the score still locked at zero. The spotlight is on tactical battles and key players.
At AT&T Stadium in Dallas, one of the most talked-about matches of the World Cup group stage has kicked off—the game between the Netherlands and Japan. In the opening minutes, both teams demonstrated a high tempo and determination, but after ten minutes the score remains 0-0.
The Netherlands, under Ronald Koeman, took the field in a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on quick flanks and ball control. Japan, coached by Hajime Moriyasu, opted for a 3-4-2-1 setup, emphasizing compact defense and rapid transitions to attack. Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has already made several confident saves, while for the Dutch, Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo are constantly creating pressure on the opponent's goal.
The stadium atmosphere is electric: fans of both teams are supporting their favorites, while experts—including Phil McNulty, Paul Robinson, and Gary Neville—are providing a live broadcast with detailed analysis. The main referee is Ismail Elfath, with Armando Villarreal in charge of video assistance.
Special attention is on the key players: Virgil van Dijk stands out for the Netherlands, while captain Ritsu Doan leads for Japan. According to early statistics, the Netherlands control the ball 76.7% of the time and have a slight edge in expected goals (xG 0.0634 versus 0 for Japan). Despite this, the Japanese team is not sitting back in defense and is looking for opportunities through fast attacks.
The match in Dallas became the main event of the day for Group F, where both teams are hoping to advance to the playoffs. For the Netherlands, this is an opportunity to extend their impressive unbeaten run in World Cup group stage matches—they have not lost at this stage for 16 games in a row. Japan, meanwhile, aims to establish itself as a contender for top positions and to demonstrate the progress made in recent years.
Interest in this encounter is heightened by the fact that in the parallel Group F matches, the rivals have already managed to surprise the fans. As noted in coverage of the tournament's opening, where Germany and the Netherlands immediately faced serious challenges, this tournament does not forgive mistakes even for favorites— details on the start of groups E and F.
For Spanish fans, interest in the match is fueled not only by the caliber of the opponents but also by possible encounters in the playoffs. The 2026 World Cup is being held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, and matches in Dallas traditionally attract sell-out crowds. It's worth noting that both teams have already faced each other at major tournaments, and their clashes are often tense and unpredictable. Watching developments in Group F is also crucial since the winner of this pair could impact the playoff match-ups, where possible meetings with teams from Spain's group await.
