World Cup: Netherlands vs Japan clash to headline Day 4 of action

The headline event on Sunday is the Netherlands vs Japan group match: a clash of the three-time runners-up and one of the strongest Asian teams.

We will also witness history being made as Curaçao become the smallest-ever nation to play at the World Cup when they begin their tournament by facing Germany.

Ecuador – counted among the tournament’s dark horses – are also in action, facing the Ivory Coast, while Sweden face Tunisia as they return after missing the last edition.

Away from the football, basketball fever engulfed New York, as the Knicks were crowned NBA champions, taking the spotlight away from the World Cup in the United States.

Sunday’s match between the Netherlands and Japan is among Al Jazeera’s top five must-watch group games of the 2026 World Cup.

Runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Netherlands kick off Group F with an exciting meeting with Japan, who are capable of pulling off major upsets, having defeated Germany and Spain in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

After reaching the final three times, the Dutch, by their own admission, are putting pressure on themselves to go all the way in North America.

While the Netherlands’ previous golden generation – the 1988 Euro-winning team – could not replicate their continental success on the global stage, Ronald Koeman’s current crop of players has the talent and calibre. And for the first time, they have an outside chance of lifting the trophy.

“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” Koeman told reporters on Saturday. “We want to go far in the tournament. We have a strong team, and we know what we need to improve to have a real chance.

“But we need to take it one game ‌at a time. We need to focus first on Japan, which will be a difficult game.”

Boasting the likes of high-profile players such as Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, Tijjani Reijnders and Cody Gakpo, the Dutch are ones to watch in the opening round of the expanded 48-team World Cup.

Japan, though, will look to spoil their party. Coach Hajime ‌Moriyasu knows his side face a battle to get through a challenging group, if the Samurai ⁠Blue are to deliver ⁠on his dream of going into uncharted territory at the World Cup.

“We have to survive this stage no matter what, but at the same time I see that it is ⁠a very tough group,” said Moriyasu, who took Japan into the last 16 at the finals in Qatar. “The top of the top talent is found in the Netherlands team.”

Japan have never won a game in the knockout phase of the World Cup, losing on each of their four previous appearances in the last 16, and Moriyasu’s side go into the finals without influential captain Wataru Endo. But watch out for Ayase Ueda, Takefusa Kubo, Junya Ito and Daichi Kamada.

Netherlands vs Japan prediction

Stats provider Opta’s supercomputer has given the Netherlands a 50.2 percent chance of winning this Group F match against Japan, who have 24.5 percent odds of victory. There is a 25.2 percent chance of a draw.

Overall, the Dutch are frontrunners to come out on top in this group, with a 49.46 percent chance. The other teams in this section are Tunisia and Sweden.

After scripting a fairytale qualification, they arrive in North America as one of the four debutants and face the daunting task of playing four-time world champions Germany.

But Curacao, who rely heavily on ⁠its diaspora in the Netherlands for players, are not giving up just yet.

“We are a small country compared to Germany, but we will make life difficult for them and be a tough team to play,” coach Dick Advocaat said.

“We have nothing ⁠to lose. The expectation is not that high outside ⁠of us as a squad, because we think we can surprise people. Just being here is great for the players and the country, but we also have to show people what ⁠we are made of.”

Along with Curacao, Advocaat is also set to achieve a record: The 78-year-old will become the oldest coach in World Cup history.

Ivory Coast vs Ecuador prediction

This one’s an interesting fixture, with both teams having a near-equal chance of winning.

Ivory Coast have a 37.5 per cent probability of winning, while Ecuador’s chance of a win stands at 35.2 per cent. A draw has odds of 27.3 per cent.

Sweden vs Tunisia prediction

Sweden are favourites to win this game, having a 51.1 per cent chance of victory. Tunisia’s odds stand at 23.2 per cent, lower than the 25.7 per cent chance of a draw.