Netherlands vs Japan Key Stats: FIFA World Cup 2026
by Trystan Pugh ·
Below you can find key stats for Netherlands vs Japan. From historical trends to player milestones, we have you covered for every match at FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada & Mexico!
- The only previous FIFA World Cup meeting between the Netherlands and Japan came in the 2010 group stage in Durban, where the Dutch won 1-0 through a Wesley Sneijder goal.
- There have also been two friendly meetings between the sides: a 3-0 Netherlands win in Enschede in September 2009 and a 2-2 draw in Genk, Belgium in November 2013.
- The Netherlands are appearing at their 12th FIFA World Cup, having now qualified for eight of the last ten editions.
- The Netherlands were unbeaten across their eight fixtures in the 2026 qualifiers. The only occasions they failed to take maximum points were home and away draws against Poland in September and November.
- Three-time runners-up, the Dutch contested the trophy decider in back-to-back editions in 1974 and 1978 and again in 2010. No other nation has been involved in as many finals without winning the trophy.
- Remarkably, the Oranje have tasted defeat in just two of their 33 group-stage outings at the tournament (including both first and second group stages). The only teams to have got the better of them in group-stage encounters are Scotland (1978) and Belgium (1994).
- The Netherlands haven’t been beaten in regular play at a FIFA World Cup since Spain edged them 1-0 in the 2010 final. Since then, their only exits have come via shootouts: first to Argentina in the 2014 semi‑finals, then once more in the 2022 quarter‑finals.
- The Netherlands boast a perfect FIFA World Cup record against AFC opposition, winning all six matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three.
- The Netherlands have not lost their opening match at a FIFA World Cup since 1938, when they were eliminated in the first round by Czechoslovakia. Since then, their opening-match record stands at W7 D2 L0.
- This will be the Netherlands’ second FIFA World Cup outing in Dallas. Head coach Ronald Koeman captained his country in a 3-2 quarter-final reverse to Brazil at the Cotton Bowl in 1994.
- Japan are contesting their eighth successive FIFA World Cup having been ever-present since their debut at France 1998.
- The Samurai Blue became the first Asian team to qualify for the 2026 finals and the first team of any continent to qualify outside of host nations on 20 March 2025 with a 2-0 win over Bahrain in Saitama that saw them guaranteed a top-two finish in Group C in the third round of AFC qualifying.
- The Japanese reached the round of 16 for the fourth time in 2022 following a pair of dramatic come-from-behind wins against former FIFA World Cup winners Germany and Spain in the group stage. Their quest for a first appearance in the quarter-finals eventually ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat against Croatia in the round of 16.
- Japan have lost only two of their last nine FIFA World Cup group matches against European opposition (W4 D3). They now aim for a third consecutive victory after defeating both Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022.
- Japan have won their opening match in three of the last four editions of the FIFA World Cup, including 2-1 victories over Colombia in 2018 and Germany in 2022.
- Hajime Moriyasu is the first head coach to lead Japan in two consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments. The only other person to coach Japan at two editions is Takeshi Okada (1998 and 2010).
- Memphis Depay is appearing at his third FIFA World Cup, becoming the ninth Dutch player to reach the landmark after Dirk Kuyt, Andre Ooijer, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Edwin van der Sar, Robin van Persie and Aron Winter.
- Yuto Nagatomo is the first Japanese player — and the first Asian player — to reach five FIFA World Cup participations. An appearance here would see him tie the Asian record of 16 World Cup matches played, currently held by Hong Myung‑bo (Korea Republic).
- At 39 years and 275 days, Yuto Nagatomo could become the oldest player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup for an AFC nation, surpassing Tim Cahill, who was 38 years and 202 days when he played against Peru in 2018.
