Netherlands vs. Japan Prediction and Best Bets

The Netherlands and Japan get their World Cup campaigns underway on Sunday as the two nations clash at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Both teams have been earmarked as potential dark horses in North America this summer, with Japan having been the first nation to officially qualify, aside from the three co-hosts, back in March 2025.

This will be Japan's eighth successive World Cup, yet the Samurai Blue have still to make it further than the last 16 and the quarter-finals will be the ultimate aim.

The Oranje topped their qualifying group with relative ease, winning six of their eight matches and only dropping points against Poland.

Head coach Ronald Koeman played his final international match during the 1994 tournament that was held in the USA and 32 years later he will be hoping to lead his nation to glory.

Netherlands vs. Japan betting picks and predictions

Both teams to score (-134)

This is going to be an intriguing match between the two teams who should finish first and second in Group F.

Across Japan's 11 World Cup matches dating back to the start of the 2014 tournament, both teams have scored in eight of those.

In Qatar four years ago, three of the Netherlands' five games saw both teams score.

Koeman's side have struggled defensively of late, conceding at least once in all of their last four international matches. In qualification, however, the Oranje only conceded four times, although two of those goals were against Lithuania.

The last time Japan failed to score was back in September 2025 in a 2-0 defeat to the USA. Since then, Hajime Moriyasu's side have scored 13 goals in seven games, defeating Brazil, Scotland and England along the way.

Backing both teams to score is a wise bet ahead of this clash.

Draw (+260)

While the game should be fairly open and is likely to feature goals, the result is a lot more difficult to judge.

Japan have been in excellent form across their recent friendly matches. In October 2025, they finally won their first match against Brazil.

A few months later, the Samurai Blue became the first Asian nation to defeat England and confidence has never been higher heading into a World Cup.

On the other hand, Koeman doesn't exactly have his team firing ahead of their tournament opener.

A surprising 1-0 loss to Algeria was followed by a fairly routine 2-1 win over Uzbekistan and, while hopes are high that the Netherlands can move through the gears in North America, getting to the semi-finals might be out of reach.

As such, an entertaining stalemate looks on the cards between the two nations in Dallas.

Cody Gakpo to score anytime (+200)

Cody Gakpo scored a brace against Uzbekistan last time out, with both goals coming from the penalty spot.

Those were his 20th and 21st international goals and in Qatar four years ago the Liverpool man enjoyed a breakout tournament for the Netherlands.

He scored three group-stage goals during the tournament and his performances saw him seal a move to Anfield a few months later.

Gakpo will likely start on the left side of a front three against the Japanese and, with six goals in his previous eight matches for his country, the 27-year-old will be determined to continue this fine run of form.

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Netherlands vs. Japan odds

Netherlands	+100
Tie	+260
Japan	+260

Netherlands vs. Japan player props

Anytime goalscorer

Memphis Depay (Netherlands)	+140
Brian Brobbey (Netherlands)	+160
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands)	+200
Donyell Malen (Netherlands)	+210
Koki Ogawa (Japan)	+250
Shuto Machino (Japan)	+260

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.