World Cup 2026 Begins! The Netherlands’ Defensive Giant Is Ready for the Biggest Stage

Match 1: Netherlands (FIFA Ranking: 7)
Broadcast: June 15, 5:00 a.m. — NHK, BSP4K

Player to Watch: Virgil van Dijk (34)
The world-class center-back who leads the Oranje

“The bridesmaid”—that is how the Dutch national team is sometimes described in parts of European football. Despite qualifying for the World Cup 11 times and achieving three runner-up finishes and two fourth-place finishes, they have never won the tournament. That is the reason behind the nickname.

However, this Dutch squad is different. Its greatest weapon is defensive strength. A record 15 players from the English Premier League—the strongest league in the world—have been selected for the squad. For comparison, only three Premier League players were included in the squad for the previous World Cup in Qatar. Even more impressively, seven of those 15 players are defenders.

The key figure is Van Dijk, the defensive leader and captain of both Liverpool F.C. and the Dutch national team. Dominant in the air, he allowed opponents to dribble past him only twice during this Premier League season. He also ranked first in the league in clearances, making him one of the finest center-backs in world football.

On the left side of defense is Nathan Aké (31), who plays for Manchester City F.C., the club that has won the most Premier League titles over the past decade. The Dutch back line is packed with elite individual talent.

In attack, the Netherlands’ overwhelming height poses a major threat to Japan. The Dutch are, in fact, the tallest people in the world on average, with Dutch men averaging roughly 184 cm in height. A player who perfectly embodies this advantage is right-sided defender Denzel Dumfries (30), who stands 188 cm tall.

Dumfries, who plays for Inter Milan, excels in aerial duels and has become an important attacking weapon for the national team. One of the Netherlands’ most dangerous tactics is to push him high up the pitch and deliver crosses from the left flank, allowing him to challenge for headers in the box. This power-based approach can be extremely difficult to defend.

Does that mean Japan has no chance? Not necessarily.

There is some encouraging data. Since coach Ronald Koeman (63) took charge in 2023, the Netherlands has not beaten a team ranked inside FIFA’s top 25. Japan, currently ranked 18th, falls into that category.

Furthermore, the Dutch have struggled against teams that use a 3-4-3 formation, which is Japan’s preferred system. During World Cup qualifying, they conceded only four goals in eight matches, but every one of those goals came against opponents using a 3-4-3 setup.

When Japan attacks, its two wing-backs push forward, creating a front line of five players. The Netherlands, meanwhile, typically defend with only four players across the back line. This often creates numerical mismatches in dangerous attacking areas near goal, and the Dutch have yet to find a fully effective solution to counter it.

Mitoma’s absence could be an advantage

Japan’s key player is likely to be Takefusa Kubo (25), who operates in the right-sided attacking midfield role. Standing at 173 cm, Kubo recently told reporters during Japan’s pre-World Cup training camp:

“I’ve never had my cut-ins stopped by big defenders, so in a way I prefer facing taller opponents.”

His pace and dribbling ability could become one of Japan’s most effective weapons. Combined with the movement and link-up play of Ritsu Doan (27) on the right flank, Kubo will look to exploit any mismatches in the Dutch defense.

Japan also has potential countermeasures against the Netherlands’ aerial threat. Defensive-minded players such as Hiroki Ito (27) or Junnosuke Suzuki (22) could be deployed on the left side to provide additional cover. That position would normally belong to Kaoru Mitoma (29), but as is well known, he was not selected for the squad due to injury. Japan will hope that his absence ultimately proves to be a blessing in disguise.

As this is the opening match of the tournament, both teams are expected to approach the game cautiously. Despite concerns about chemistry and cohesion, the Netherlands possesses one of the strongest defensive units in world football, making goals difficult to come by. Even if Japan’s attack, led by Kubo, proves effective, the match is likely to be a tightly contested affair decided by a single goal.

An ideal result for Japan would be a 1–0 victory.

Moriyasu’s Japan, widely regarded as the strongest national team in the country’s history, now faces the opportunity to reshape Japanese football history. This match will undoubtedly serve as the ultimate test of that ambition.

From “FRIDAY,” June 19, 2026 issue.