Netherlands XI vs Japan: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for World Cup | OneFootball

Selection headaches in attack for Ronald Koeman ahead of World Cup opener, but key name set to feature

Netherlands are set to have Bart Verbruggen available in a major boost for their 2026 World Cup opener against Japan this weekend.

The Brighton goalkeeper emerged as a serious doubt for the Group F clash at the AT&T Stadium after landing awkwardly on his hip during the pre-tournament friendly against Uzbekistan.

Verbruggen was confirmed to have suffered a bruised hip after being replaced by Bayer Leverkusen's Mark Flekken.

However, he rejoined training on Friday and is expected to start behind a back four that will not feature Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber after he withdrew from the squad at the beginning of the week due to injury.

Denzel Dumfries, reportedly on his way to Real Madrid, should get the nod at right-back with Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven on the opposite flank with potential future club team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke partnering captain Virgil van Dijk in the middle.

Frenkie de Jong should win his 67th cap for the Netherlands this weekend

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Cody Gakpo scored both goals in the win Uzbekistan, so appears to be a lock for the left-hand side. Tijjani Reijnders struggled for minutes at Manchester City this season, but is the favoured option for Koeman in the attacking midfield role.

West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville started both pre-tournament warm-up games on the right, which means it will be between Donyell Malen and Memphis Depay to lead the line for the Dutch.

The fact that Memphis did not start against either Algeria or Uzbekistan might be a clue that he loses out to Malen, who ended the season scoring seven goals in as many appearances for Roma.