Our best bets for the 2026 World Cup clash between Netherlands and Japan include Cody Gakpo and Ayase Ueda to impress for either side.
Netherlands and Japan meet for the first time in almost 13 years on Sunday when they get their World Cup campaigns underway in Arlington.
The Dutch are slight favourites to win this Group F contest, but they may struggle to see off their in-form opponents.
Japan have never beaten the Netherlands in three attempts but they look to have a decent chance of upsetting the odds this weekend.
Netherlands v Japan Bet Builder Tips
Japan or draw double chance @ 3/4
Cody Gakpo to score @ 21/10
Ayase Ueda to score @ 13/5
Pays out at 18/1
Watch out for in-form Japan
Japan have never beaten the Netherlands in three meetings but they look to have a good chance of doing so when the pair meet for the first time since 2013.
This looks like a crucial clash in Group F, which is a tricky section that also features Sweden and Tunisia, so picking up a win as soon as possible is vital.
Netherlands are favourites to win but not many sides arrive at the World Cup boasting form as impressive as Japan’s.
The Blue Samurai have won their last six matches and that winning streak includes successes over Brazil, Ghana, Scotland and England.
The Dutch won’t hold any fears for the Japanese, who can secure a win or a draw in this first outing at the finals, and backing them on the double chance market looks a solid opening leg for a bet builder.
Leg 1: Japan or draw double chance @ 3/4
Gakpo getting it spot on
Cody Gakpo didn’t have the best of seasons for Liverpool, but he warmed up nicely for the World Cup with a couple of goals in the Netherlands’ win over Uzbekistan on June 8.
Both goals came from the penalty spot so, should he continue as the Dutch penalty taker, then that enhances the chances of more goals for Gakpo who features as an anytime goalscorer in this bet builder.
Scoring two goals provides a timely confidence boost for the forward who scored in all three group games for the Netherlands at Qatar 2022.
Leg 2: Cody Gakpo anytime goalscorer @ 21/10
Japanese star set to shine
Another goalscorer worth backing to get on the scoresheet is in-form striker Ayase Ueda for Japan.
Ueda plays for Dutch side Feyenoord and heads to the World Cup having scored 25 goals in the Eredivisie this season – the top scorer in the league.
The Japanese star’s last goal for his country came when he bagged the winner in a 3-2 Kirin Cup victory over Brazil last October, but he is hard to ignore to end his cold spell this week given his good form for Feyenoord.
The Netherlands haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four matches, so Ueda and co will fancy their chances of breaching the Dutch in their opening fixture.
Leg 3: Ayase Ueda anytime goalscorer @ 13/5
