Excitement is building as the Netherlands take on Japan in their World Cup opener! This thrilling Group F clash kicks off at 9pm UK time at the stunning AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. UK fans can catch every moment live on ITV1, with an hour of build-up starting from 8pm. Streamers aren’t left out either—you can watch the action unfold on the ITVX or STV Player apps.
In the US? Tune in on Fox Sports for English commentary or choose Telemundo and Peacock for Spanish coverage.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman is sweating over the fitness of Memphis Depay, who’s battling a hamstring injury and is a doubt for the match. On the other side, the Japanese camp is dealing with some heavy blows. Captain Wataru Endo is out due to injury and has unexpectedly retired from international football, while key players Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino are sidelined with long-term issues.
Looking at past encounters, the Netherlands have the edge, having won two out of three matches against Japan, including a slim victory at the 2010 World Cup and a dominant friendly win in 2009.
Don’t miss a second of this exciting showdown—make sure you’re tuned in and ready to cheer on your team! 🌍📺⚽️