FIFA has confirmed the Netherlands vs Japan lineups for Match 11 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F schedule. The match is being played at Dallas Stadium in Dallas on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The Netherlands have started Donyell Malen instead of Memphis Depay, while Japan have handed the captain's armband to Ritsu Doan and left Junya Ito on the bench.
The final team sheets settle the biggest late questions before kickoff. Bart Verbruggen starts in goal for the Netherlands after the late fitness concern, and Japan keep faith with a back three plus Ayase Ueda as the central striker. That gives both teams their main transition threats from the first whistle in one of the most technical opening matches of the group round.
Netherlands Confirmed Lineup
The Netherlands have confirmed a 4-1-2-3, with Bart Verbruggen starting in goal and Virgil van Dijk captaining the side from central defence. Ryan Gravenberch sits at the base of midfield, while Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders work ahead of him behind a front three of Crysencio Summerville, Donyell Malen, and Cody Gakpo.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Bart Verbruggen |
| RB | Denzel Dumfries |
| CB | Jan Paul van Hecke |
| CB | Virgil van Dijk |
| LB | Micky van de Ven |
| DM | Ryan Gravenberch |
| CM | Frenkie de Jong |
| CM | Tijjani Reijnders |
| RW | Crysencio Summerville |
| LW | Cody Gakpo |
| ST | Donyell Malen |
Formation: 4-1-2-3.
Substitutes: Robin Roefs, Mark Flekken, Lutsharel Geertruida, Nathan Ake, Mats Wieffer, Jorrel Hato, Marten de Roon, Justin Kluivert, Guus Til, Teun Koopmeiners, Quinten Timber, Wout Weghorst, Memphis Depay, Noa Lang, Brian Brobbey.
This confirmed Netherlands squad keeps the Dutch control spine intact and still leaves major second-half options on the bench. Depay, Weghorst, Lang, Koopmeiners, and Brobbey give Ronald Koeman enough flexibility if the game needs more box presence, more direct running, or a different pressing profile.
The biggest official call is Malen starting through the middle rather than Depay. Verbruggen also holds the goalkeeper spot, so the Netherlands have stayed close to their strongest late read despite the pre-match fitness noise.
Japan Confirmed Lineup
Japan have confirmed a 3-4-3, with Zion Suzuki in goal and Ritsu Doan captaining the side from the midfield line. Ayase Ueda leads the attack, while Daizen Maeda, Takefusa Kubo, Daichi Kamada, and Keito Nakamura give Hajime Moriyasu several runners around the central lane.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Zion Suzuki |
| CB | Shogo Taniguchi |
| CB | Tsuyoshi Watanabe |
| CB | Hiroki Ito |
| RWB | Ritsu Doan |
| CM | Kaishu Sano |
| CM | Daichi Kamada |
| LWB | Keito Nakamura |
| RW | Takefusa Kubo |
| LW | Daizen Maeda |
| ST | Ayase Ueda |
Formation: 3-4-3.
Substitutes: Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa, Yukinari Sugawara, Kou Itakura, Yuto Nagatomo, Ayumu Seko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Junnosuke Suzuki, Ao Tanaka, Junya Ito, Yuito Suzuki, Shuto Machino, Keisuke Goto, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai.
This confirmed Japan squad gives Moriyasu enough pace and ball-carrying from wide areas without changing the three-man defensive base. Junya Ito, Ao Tanaka, Tomiyasu, and Koki Ogawa remain important bench options if Japan need more direct speed, more experience, or a different final-third profile.
The biggest official calls are Doan wearing the captain's armband and Junya Ito starting on the bench. Japan have also trusted Kaishu Sano from kickoff, which points to a more energetic central balance beside Kamada.
Team News and Injury Report
The official FIFA lineups clear up the Netherlands' main late questions before kickoff. Verbruggen starts after the late fitness concern, Malen gets the central attacking role, and Depay waits on the bench as the biggest Dutch change option.
Japan's team sheet answers two of the major pre-match talking points as well. Doan captains the side, Kaishu Sano starts in midfield, and Junya Ito begins among the substitutes even though many late projections had him in the attacking unit.
Latest lineup notes: Verbruggen starts in goal, Malen leads the Dutch line, Doan captains Japan, and Junya Ito gives Moriyasu a strong second-half option from the bench.
| Player | Team | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bart Verbruggen | Netherlands | Starts | Included in the official FIFA XI after the late fitness concern |
| Memphis Depay | Netherlands | On bench | Available but not selected in the starting lineup |
| Ritsu Doan | Japan | Starts | Selected from kickoff and named team captain |
| Junya Ito | Japan | On bench | Named among the official FIFA substitutes |
Netherlands vs Japan — Key Tactical Battle
The clearest battle sits between the Dutch midfield triangle and Japan's mobile line around Ueda. Gravenberch, De Jong, and Reijnders want clean control through the middle, so Sano, Kamada, and Doan need to close those passing lanes before Gakpo and Summerville can isolate defenders out wide.
The other key area is Japan's left channel against Dumfries and Summerville. Maeda and Nakamura give Japan real transition speed there, yet the Netherlands should feel stronger if Van Dijk and Van Hecke keep the first ball under control and stop Kubo from turning between the lines.
| Role | Netherlands | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Build-up control | Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders | Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan |
| Wide threat | Crysencio Summerville and Cody Gakpo attacking around Malen | Daizen Maeda and Keito Nakamura breaking off Ayase Ueda |
| Front line | Donyell Malen | Ayase Ueda |
The confirmed lineups point toward a match built on timing and transition control rather than constant open play. Bench names such as Depay, Weghorst, Junya Ito, and Ao Tanaka could still change the tempo if the opening pattern stalls.
Match Details
| Key Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, June 14, 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 4:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM UTC |
| Venue | Dallas Stadium, Dallas |
| Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage |
| Referee | Ismail Elfath |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Netherlands vs Japan lineups and starting 11?
The Netherlands start with Bart Verbruggen, Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders, Crysencio Summerville, Cody Gakpo, and Donyell Malen. Japan start with Zion Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Hiroki Ito, Ritsu Doan, Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada, Keito Nakamura, Takefusa Kubo, Daizen Maeda, and Ayase Ueda.
Does Memphis Depay start for the Netherlands against Japan?
No. Memphis Depay is available on the bench, but FIFA's official team sheet shows Donyell Malen starting as the central striker.
Who captains Japan against the Netherlands?
Ritsu Doan captains Japan in the official starting XI for the Group F match in Dallas.
What formation are Japan using against the Netherlands?
Japan are listed by FIFA in a 3-4-3, with Ayase Ueda leading the line and Ritsu Doan, Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada, and Keito Nakamura forming the midfield band around the back three.
When does Netherlands vs Japan start?
Netherlands vs Japan starts at 4:00 PM ET on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The match will be played at Dallas Stadium in Dallas.
The Netherlands vs Japan confirmed lineups now show the exact starting 11, benches, and formations before kickoff in Dallas.
The Dutch have stayed close to their strongest technical spine, while Japan have made a few sharper selection calls around captaincy and bench usage that could shape the match once the game opens up.
Read Also: Netherlands vs Japan — FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Preview and Prediction
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