The Netherlands and Japan meet in Group K at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts — one of the most anticipated clashes of the opening round. The Oranje are genuine World Cup contenders, while Japan have proven at back-to-back World Cups that they are capable of beating the very best.

Louis van Gaal's successor has inherited a squad of remarkable talent. Virgil van Dijk leads a formidable defence, Frenkie de Jong controls from midfield, and a front line featuring Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay offers devastating variety. The Dutch enter as one of Europe's top seeds.

Japan's performances at Qatar 2022 — beating Germany and Spain in the group stage — sent a message to the world. Under Hajime Moriyasu, they play a high-pressing, counter-attacking style that has surprised multiple major nations. Takumi Minamino, Ao Tanaka and a new generation of Bundesliga and Premier League-based stars make them more dangerous than ever.