{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreidwippywygsix6lfzu7n5t7rijkcsh27suj7dehbuvnlscna6bqeu",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ukqvw22lwwbf6udcpphpluql/app.bsky.feed.post/3mobhlujig7k2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreica65rmacbtsyt6syvgfyj6wsb6x7p6btjhg4sotd43rkgifqlugu"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 530285
  },
  "description": "Netherlands and Japan open Group F at Dallas Stadium in Arlington on Sunday at 3 PM CT. Here’s everything you need to know — lineups, key storylines, and what to watch.",
  "path": "/world-cup-match-notes-netherlands-japan-dallas-stadium/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-14T19:05:09.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.bigdsoccer.com",
  "tags": [
    "Subscribe Today"
  ],
  "textContent": "The 2026 World Cup is officially in Dallas.\n\nNetherlands and Japan kick off Group F at Dallas Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm CT, Fox/Telemundo), and it’s not a throwaway opener, this is arguably the group’s pivotal match.\n\nThe Dutch arrive ranked seventh in the world with three World Cup final appearances and zero trophies to show for it. Japan rolls into North Texas, ranked 18th, having beaten England and Scotland in warm-ups and carrying a five-game winning streak into kickoff.\n\nOne team leaves North Texas with a commanding grip on the group, while the other will start doing math with Sweden and Tunisia.\n\nHere’s what you need to know.\n\nLooking for more World Cup, MLS and FC Dallas content? Subscribe today to get our posts directly in your inbox as we publish them.\n\n\n                            Subscribe Today\n                        \n\n## Lineups\n\n### Starting XI\n\nFormation: 4-2-3-1\n\nST\n**Malen**\n\nLAM\n**Gakpo**\n\nCAM\n**de Jong**\n\nRAM\n**Summerville**\n\nDM\n**Reijnders**\n\nDM\n**Gravenberch**\n\nLB\n**van den Ven**\n\nLCB\n**van Dijk**\n\nRCB\n**van Hecke**\n\nRB\n**Dumfries**\n\nGK\n**Verbruggen**\n\nHolland\n\n### Starting XI\n\nFormation: 3-4-1-2\n\nST\n**Ueda**\n\nST\n**Maeda**\n\nCAM\n**Kubo**\n\nLWB\n**Nakamura**\n\nCM\n**Sano**\n\nCM\n**Kamada**\n\nRWB\n**Doan**\n\nLCB\n**Ito**\n\nCB\n**Taniguchi**\n\nRCB\n**Watanabe**\n\nGK\n**Suzuki**\n\nJapan\n\n## Three Things to Watch\n\n**Can De Jong Survive the Blender?**\n\nThe whole match will run through De Jong for Holland. If he gets time to turn and pick passes, the Dutch attack hums. If Japan’s front three cuts off his angels and forces him to go long, guys like Depay get isolated and the game tilts. Japan wants to press and they have designed it to target the ball-playing midfielder to force errors high and trigger counters through Kubo.\n\n**Kubo is the guy nobody in Dallas knows yet**\n\nThat’s about to change. With Mitoma out, the creative burden falls squarely on Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan. Kubo is the kind of player that makes it look easy. He drifts into half-spaces, cuts inside, and when Japan breaks at speed, he’s looking to get behind the Dutch defense before they can recover.\n\n**Verbruggen’s hip**\n\nThere’s no middle ground here. Verbruggen was held out of training this week and his status remains in question. Backup keeper Mark Flekken isn’t a giant step back but the way Verbruggen commands his penalty area in a big game like this could be something that exposes the Dutch.\n\n## The Vibe Check\n\nThe atmosphere around Dallas Stadium is wild. The Dutch fans marched through the streets of Arlington, on their way to the stadium this morning. It was a sea of Oranje - truly a sight to behold.\n\n## The Call\n\nThis could potentially be one of the best games of the tournament’s group stage. **I’m going with Holland, 2-1.**\n\nLooking for more World Cup, MLS and FC Dallas content? Subscribe today to get our posts directly in your inbox as we publish them.\n\n\n                            Subscribe Today\n                        ",
  "title": "World Cup Match Notes: Netherlands–Japan at Dallas Stadium",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-14T20:02:02.710Z"
}