Netherlands will start its fresh pursuit for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, starting the campaign against Japan. | Photo Credit: AP

The Netherlands is putting pressure on itself to go far in the World Cup, says coach Ronald Koeman, ​but is not looking beyond its opening Group F encounter against ‌Japan in Dallas on Sunday as it hunt down ​the elusive trophy.

The Dutch have been to the ⁠World Cup final three times before, the last time in 2010, but lost on each occasion and come into this edition among the ‌leading contenders again.

Koeman admits ​the Netherlands will have to be at their best against a spirited Japan side.

The Oranje reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, where Argentina – led by Lionel Messi – knocked them out on penalties.

Japan also suffered heartbreak on penalties in the round of 16 when Croatia got the better of the Samurai Blue. Unlike the Dutch, who have changed coaches from Louis Van Gaal to Koeman, Japan has retained its faith in Hajime Moriyasu.

However, his side has been hit hard by injuries heading into the World Cup. Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was left out after injuring his hamstring less than a week before Moriyasu named his squad, while captain Wataru Endo was ruled out days before the team travelled to the United States of America for the World Cup.

Monaco’s Takumi Minamino also missed out after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December.

Japan reached the round of 16 in consecutive editions of the last World Cups and will look to improve on that result, albeit with a depleted squad.

Published on Jun 14, 2026