NewsJapan now knows the 26 names it will face in Arlington on June 14. KNVB confirmed Ronald Koeman's final World Cup squad on May 27, with captain Virgil van Dijk and midfield organizer Frenkie de Jong at the core. Memphis Depay, the country's all-time leading scorer, made the squad after recovering from injury despite limited minutes at his Brazilian club Corinthians. The omissions tell the rest of the story: Liverpool wing-back Jeremie Frimpong was left out as a selection decision, while Stefan de Vrij was passed over and Matthijs de Ligt, Xavi Simons, and Jerdy Schouten missed out through injury — De Ligt has not played since November. Marten de Roon, 35, returns after more than two years out of the squad as Schouten's replacement, and Crysencio Summerville earns an Oranje call after a Premier League season at West Ham. Justin Kluivert was selected ahead of Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee. Fifteen of the 26 play in the Premier League; thirteen names have changed from the Euro 2024 group. Lutsharel Geertruida and Ian Maatsen are listed on standby. The Netherlands reached the tournament unbeaten in European qualifying (6W, 2D). Practical takeaways for Samurai Blue: Koeman is leaning on Premier League physicality and senior leadership, and two of the Netherlands' most familiar centre-backs from recent cycles — De Vrij and De Ligt — will not be on the team sheet against Japan, narrowing the centre-back scouting focus to Arsenal's Jurrien Timber and Tottenham's Micky van de Ven.
Read the Group F situation ahead of Japan vs Netherlands on June 14.
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Netherlands name their 26: what Japan now knows about its June 14 opener
Japan's first World Cup opponent has shown its hand: KNVB announced the Netherlands' 26-man squad on May 27, with Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong leading, Memphis Depay back from injury, and notable absences that shape the back line Japan will face on June 14 in Arlington.
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