Netherlands were hit back twice by Japan in an instant World Cup group stage classic in Dallas that resulted in a 2-2 draw.
Virgil Van Dijk gave the Oranje the lead with a super header, only for Keito Nakamura’s tidy finish to level matters.
But Ronald Koeman’s side were back in front through the sublime, curling finish of Crysencio Summerville.
Yet the Samurai Blue would not give in and late pressure eventually broke the Dutch, Koki Ogawa’s header was deflected home via his teammate Daichi Kamada to spark wild scenes in Dallas.
Follow all of the latest reaction to a thriller in Group F below:
Read MoreWhy Virgil van Dijk could be the World Cup’s most valuable player
World Cup 2026 – Group F guide: Netherlands face tough test with Japan, Sweden and Tunisia
World Cup 2026 fixtures, results and group tables
Netherlands vs Japan LIVE
- Netherlands draw 2-2 with Japan in Group F opener | Live on ITV
- 51' GOAL! Van Dijk header hands Oranje lead [NED 1-0 JPN]
- 57' GOAL! Nakamura hits back for Samurai Blue [NED 1-1 JPN]
- 64' GOAL! Summerville curls beauty to give Dutch lead [NED 2-1 JPN]
- 89' GOAL! Kamada deflects home late equaliser in game of the tournament so far [NED 2-2 JPN]
Report: Japan dig deep to rescue point in World Cup opener against the Netherlands
23:39 , Jack TannerMichael Jones has the full report as the Netherlands conspired to draw with Japan 2-2.
WATCH: Japan’s unique timekeeping
23:47 , Jack TannerRoyal watch along for Japanese Emperor and Dutch King
23:47 , Jack TannerThe World Cup produces many stories of unlikely watching partners - but it’s not everyday an emperor and a king watch a game of football together!
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Dutch King Willem-Alexander watched their two countries do battle together, with their families.
WATCH: Gary Neville on Crysencio Summerville’s goal
23:40 , Jack TannerWATCH: ITV panel believe Japan have more to show at World Cup
23:20 , Jack TannerWATCH: Kamada’s equaliser to snatch a point for Japan
23:18 , Jack TannerNothing short of MAYHEM 😱
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 14, 2026
Substitute Kamada heads home an 88th-minute equaliser against the Dutch pic.twitter.com/l9vrkPBZMd
WATCH: Summerville’s curler to restore the Netherlands’ lead
23:17 , Jack TannerIt's like buses 🚌
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 14, 2026
Summerville guides the Dutch back in front pic.twitter.com/YVlV5gdgWt
WATCH: Japan’s first equaliser
23:11 , Jack TannerJapan DON'T stay behind for long
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 14, 2026
Nakamura brings Japan back level with a sublime strike pic.twitter.com/3sKPDOquql
WATCH: van Dijk opens the scoring
23:06 , Jack TannerFull time: Netherlands and Japan share 2-2 draw
22:58 , Jack TannerFull time: Netherlands 2 - 2 Japan
Virgil van Dijk’s opener was quickly cancelled out by Keito Nakamura’s effort. Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch lead soon after that, but Japan’s last equaliser arrived minutes from the end - Daichi Kamada deflecting home a precious goal for the Asian outfit.
Last-gasp efforts from the Dutch
22:55 , Jack Tanner90+6 mins: Netherlands 2 - 2 Japan
Into the final minute here, and the Netherlands are back to probing for an opening. Japan repel their latest attack, and it looks like they’re happy with a draw.
Japan equaliser goalscorer updated
22:50 , Jack Tanner90 mins: Netherlands 2 - 2 Japan
Daichi Kamada has been credited with the goal, Ogawa’s header knicking off the Crystal Palace midfielder en route to the goal. I don’t think Japan will care who got that equaliser!
There’ll be six minutes added on here.
GOAL! JAPAN EQUALISE WITH MINUTES REMAINING
22:49 , Jack Tanner89 mins: Netherlands 2 - 2 Japan
Japan find an equaliser - at a corner! Substitute Ogawa is completely unmarked, flicking his header goalwards. Verbruggen gets his gloves to it but can’t keep it out. It looks like the points will be shared!
Half chance for Japan with time running out
22:46 , Jack Tanner86 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
Japan flash a cross into the box, just missing Ogawa. Junya Ito recycles possession, but there isn’t a second chance for Japan.
Koeman looks for defensive reinforcements
22:42 , Jack Tanner82 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
The Dutch being very respectful of their opponents- Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is on for midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. That means the Netherlands will finish this game with a back five.
Japan enjoying possession in hunt for equaliser
22:40 , Jack Tanner80 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
Japan are getting on the ball a bit more here as we enter the last 10. Yukinari Sugawara fires a looping shot into the hands of Verbruggen.
Gakpo draws near-post save from Suzuki
22:33 , Jack Tanner73 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
Kubo is off the pitch injured and look like he won’t continue, and the Netherlands look to take advantage of the extra man. Gakpo drifts from the left before chancing a shot at the near post - Suzuki gets down low to push the shot out for a corner.
Malen makes way for Depay as Ronald Koeman rings Dutch changes
22:30 , Jack Tanner70 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
Malen, who was the Netherlands’ best player in the first half, makes way for Memphis Depay. Goalscorer Crysencio Summerville also makes way for Teun Koopmeiners.
Hydration break halts lively portion of Netherlands vs Japan
22:27 , Jack Tanner68 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
We head into the game’s second hydration break, which is a tad annoying as this clash was finally being played at a good pace. However, how the game is poised - Japan needing to stage a comeback - hopefully we see more action at both ends, just as we have the last 20 minutes.
Celtic star Maeda makes way
22:26 , Jack Tanner67 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
Japan looking for a way back into this one. Daizen Maeda makes way for Junya Ito, before Takefusa Kubo narrowly fires over from 30 yards out.
GOAL! Summerville puts the Netherlands ahead again
22:24 , Jack Tanner64 mins: Netherlands 2 - 1 Japan
Summerville is involved again - but this time it’s far more positive! Dumfries releases the winger, who curls into the far left corner with a lovely finish to restore the Netherlands’ lead. This game has come to life in the last 15 minutes.
First booking of the game for Summerville
22:21 , Jack Tanner61 mins: Netherlands 1 - 1 Japan
Summerville receives a yellow card for stopping a promising Japanese attack with a scything down of Watanabe.
Hour played in Netherlands vs Japan
22:20 , Jack Tanner60 mins: Netherlands 1 - 1 Japan
We’re an hour into this one, and hopefully things will continue at their current pace - two goals in seven minutes. Nakamura’s equaliser was Japan’s first shot on target in this contest. There’s only been nine shots combined in this game so far.
GOAL! Japan find equaliser through Nakamura
22:18 , Jack Tanner57 mins: Netherlands 1 - 1 Japan
Well, I was just about to say that the game had settled back into the pattern of the first half - but then out of nowhere Japan equalise! Nakamura was Japan’s liveliest player in the first half, and his drive on the edge of the area flies through a sea of Dutch bodies to find the back of the net.
GOAL! van Dijk nods the Netherlands ahead
22:10 , Jack Tanner51 mins: Netherlands 1 - 0 Japan
The Dutch had started the second period quite brightly. A series of crosses eventually finds van Dijk, who steers a lovely header across goal and into the back of the net, courtesy of the post.
Action restarts in Dallas
22:05 , Jack Tanner46 mins: Netherlands 0 - 0 Japan
We’re into the second half in Texas. We will see a goal?
Depay, Kluivert, Brobbey - Potential options on Dutch bench
21:55 , Jack TannerAfter a first-half lacking in quality, Ronald Koeman may turn to his bench to shuffle things up. Memphis Depay is the biggest name listed among the substitutes, whilst Justin Kluivert could potentially play in the 10 and link-up with Gakpo and Malen.
Adding another striker to supplement Malen, who has been a bright spark for the Dutch, might be mooted. Brian Brobbey had a good season with Sunderland - but for something completely different, target man Wout Weghorst could be turned to, especially against a small Japan time already losing aerial battles.
Dutch corner ends half
21:50 , Jack TannerHalf time: Netherlands 0 - 0 Japan
It appears all the goals have been used up in Germany’s 7-1 win over Curacao. Malen gets another shot on target before the half ends, nodding Reijnders’ corner into the palms of Suzuki. Half-time and it is goalless in Dallas.
Japan ending the first half on top
21:45 , Jack Tanner45 mins: Netherlands 0 - 0 Japan
Japan are growing in confidence ahead of the break. Ayase Ueda blasts into the side netting after breaking into the box.
Nakamura sends effort narrowly past the post
21:44 , Jack Tanner43 mins: Netherlands 0 - 0 Japan
Much better from Nakamura and Japan this time around. Nakamura receives a high cross with a lovely touch, before shooting towards goal. His effort is direct and quick, but flies past the near post.
Attacking opportunities at a premium
21:42 , Jack Tanner42 mins: Netherlands 0 - 0 Japan
We’re heading towards the break and it looks like we’ll have no goals to show for the first 45 minutes. Nakamura sends a hanging cross straight out of play in Japan’s latest foray forward.
Dutch try again at next set-piece
21:37 , Jack Tanner36 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
Another chance for the Netherlands at a set-play - a free-kick midway through the Japanese half is nodded back to Gakpo, who has to stretch to meet the ball. He blazes over.
Netherlands corner creates dangerous chance
21:36 , Jack Tanner34 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
Malen involved again with another good opportunity at a corner. His header troubles Suzuki, the Japan goalie spilling into a dangerous area. Japan half-clear but Netherlands cannot produce an on-target effort.
Game starting to open up
21:30 , Jack Tanner29 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
We might be getting somewhere now. Van de Ven was released into the box but was unable to cut his cross from the byline to an orange shirt.
Japan overwork good chance
21:29 , Jack Tanner28 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
We’re still waiting for this one to catch light. Dutch defender Dumfries does enough to put off Nakamura from taking a shot, the Japan player cutting back on himself to tee up a wild Ito effort that flies into the stands.
Hydration break pauses cagey affair
21:27 , Jack Tanner24 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
We’ve just had the first hydration break here. Quality chances have certainly been at a premium.
Gakpo and Malen leading the way for the Netherlands
21:20 , Jack Tanner19 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
Gakpo and Malen’s connection is the brightest part of this game. Once more the Liverpool winger cuts in from the flank before slipping in Malen. This time the striker can’t get a proper effort of.
Japan making inroads
21:15 , Jack Tanner15 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
A chance flashes past for Japan, with Maeda getting on the end of a low cross in front of goal. However, van Hecke is on hand to block.
Sounding out stages for both teams
21:11 , Jack Tanner10 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
Since Malen’s chance we’ve yet to see much to excite us. Japan looking industrious in midfield.
Malen’s blast draws good save from Suzuki
21:04 , Jack Tanner3 mins: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
First chance of the game courtesy of an incisive Gakpo pass. Malen turns and fires off a powerful effort. Well met by Zion Suzuki, who pushes the effort out for a corner.
Netherlands get us started
21:02 , Jack Tanner1 min: Netherlands 0-0 Japan
The Dutch get us started. Netherlands in all orange, Japan in blue shirts - both teams’ home colours not featuring on their flags.
Netherlands’ winning history against Japan
21:00 , Jack TannerThe Netherlands have never lost to Japan - winning two meetings and drawing the other. The Dutch beat the Japanese 1-0 on their run to the World Cup final in 2010. Wesley Sneijder grabbed the game’s only goal in that Group E clash.
National anthems out the way - time for kick-off!
20:57 , Jack TannerWe’ve heard the anthems of the Netherlands and then Japan, so now all attention turns to kick-off.
The Curacao moment that vindicated Fifa’s controversial World Cup revamp despite Germany thrashing
20:52 , Lawrence Ostlere in HoustonThere will not be many 7-1 games at this World Cup and fewer still in which the one feels wholly more significant that the seven. But Germany have scored many World Cup goals before and they will score many more. Curacao’s goal, by contrast, was a moment that will forever be etched into the country’s story.
The ball broke loose in the German penalty area and when it fell invitingly to right-back Livano Comenencia, stomachs tightened and eyes bulged.
Curacao’s historic moment vindicates Fifa’s bloated 48-nation World Cup
Who will emulate Germany?
20:48 , Mike JonesThe Netherlands versus Japan seems likely to be a closer affair to the earlier game today.
Germany swept World Cup newbies Curacao aside 7-1 in a dominant display which, perhaps, signals their intentions to go deep into the tournament.
Emma Hayes was on pundit duty for that game and spoke about Japan and how they have modelled themselves on Spain, certainly in how they develop players.
Will she be proven right and see the Japanese kick off their campaign with a win?
Netherlands vs Japan
20:43 , Mike JonesJapan have faced the Netherlands three times and have never won.
They’ve lost twice and drawn once.
The last time the teams met was in 2013 and that game ended in a 2-2 draw.
The previous World Cup meeting ended in a 1-0 win for the Dutch.
What will be the result tonight?
Why Virgil van Dijk could be the World Cup’s most valuable player
20:36 , Richard JollyWhen Virgil van Dijk set a world record, he had never played in a World Cup. Indeed, he would not for almost another five years. Now, a defender who was once the world’s best heads for the global stage, for presumably the last time, is still undefeated in World Cups.
In a way, anyway. The Netherlands exited the 2022 tournament undefeated over 90 or 120 minutes, but was beaten on penalties by Argentina in the last eight.
Why Virgil van Dijk could be the most valuable player at World Cup 2026
The last World Cup meeting
20:30 , Mike JonesThe Netherlands and Japan went head-to-head during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
They were drawn together in Group E and a close encounter was settled by a second-half strike from Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder.
The Oranje went on to reach the final, where they were edged out by Spain.
Japan, meanwhile, qualified in second behind their opponents, but exited at the Round of 16.
Moriyasu on Japan's 'perseverance'
20:24 , Mike Jones“Perseverance can be viewed in many ways but once we Japanese set a goal, we have diligence in the process and the power to keep going — in football terms, to keep working hard from the first whistle to the last.
“Regardless of how the match is going, the players and supporters backing us in the stands can keep going and fight to the very end. We're not where we are by ourselves; we've received the baton from those who came before us and carried it towards the goal.
“Now we're fighting towards the future — towards winning a World Cup — and we connect that baton through our history, not on our own. I believe that's a real strength of the Japanese."
VAR will punish more divers at the World Cup – but only in one scenario
20:18 , Lawrence OstlereVAR will continue to punish divers at the 2026 World Cup if they get away with simulation – but only if the tackler is incorrectly booked.
It follows an incident in the USA’s first game of the tournament against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday which caused some confusion inside the SoFi Stadium.
VAR will punish more divers at the World Cup – but only in one scenario
Pre-match thoughts from Hajime Moriyasu
20:12 , Mike JonesThe Japanese coach said: "Through the World Cups in Qatar and now this one, the foundation has always been our core team tactics.
“For this tournament we've worked on upgrading our game model — with our coaches leading on the attacking and defensive sides — and presented it to the players so they can now compete with a wide range of options.
“Within that model, the players choose how to play according to the situation, and in the individual match-ups and the flow of the game they communicate and stay unified.
“That's where I feel we've grown as a team heading into the World Cup.”
Pre-match thoughts of Ronald Koeman
20:06 , Mike JonesThe Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman spoke ahead of tonight’s game.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We want to go far in the tournament,” he said.
“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.
“[Striker] Memphis [Depay] is fit and will be able to start the game. Over the past 10 days, from the start of our preparations, his fitness has improved.
“Things are looking good – he’s an important player and has been for a very long time. He’s a key part to our possible success in this tournament."
Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
20:00 , Lawrence OstlereThis hydration break is powered by Powerade,” roared Fox Sports commentator Ian Darke, as the first game of the World Cup stopped after 24 minutes so players could take on water.
The temperature in Mexico City was 23C, constituting a relatively mild day in the Mexican summer.
But if we’ve learnt one thing over the past few weeks, it’s that this is not a tournament to miss out on a fast buck.
Water-gate: Fifa’s lucrative World Cup breaks are ruining the spectacle
Fifa is ‘a dictatorship’ fumes Gary Neville
19:54 , Luke BakerGary Neville has labelled Fifa “a dictatorship” after a failure to release a VAR replay used to decide a tight semi-automated offside call during Switzerland’s draw with Qatar at World Cup 2026.
Neville said: “Offside. We all think it here. Everybody will think it at home. Fifa are the host broadcaster, they’ve got the evidence of the semi-automatic decision that they can show us. Why are they not showing us?
“They did this in the last tournament. Fans are already distrusting of Fifa and technology to start with. There is a massive question mark over that because that is offside in my eyes until they prove me different.”
Japan's starting XI
19:51 , Mike JonesJapan XI: Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, Ito; Kubo, Doan, Maeda, Nakamura, Kamada, Sano; Ueda
Subs: Osako, Hayakawa, Sugawara, Itakura, Nagatomo, Seko, Tomiyasu, Suzuki, Tanaka, Ito, Machino, Goto, Ogawa, Shiogai
Netherlands starting XI
19:49 , Mike JonesNetherlands XI: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van de Ven, Van Dijk, Van Hecke; Gravenberch, Reijnders, De Jong; Gakpo, Malen, Summerville
Subs: Roefs, Flekken, Geertruida, Ake, Wieffer, Hato, De Roon, Kluivert, Til, Koopmeiners, Q. Timber, Weghorst, Depay, Lang, Brobbey
Tonight's venue
19:48 , Mike JonesDallas Stadium will witness nine World Cup 2026 matches including England’s opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
Since opening in 2009, it has been the home of five-time Super Bowl winners the Dallas Cowboys, and has also hosted the Concacaf Gold Cup and Mexico national team matches.
The iconic venue will play host to five group-stage games, two Round of 32 fixtures, one Round of 16 tie and the first semi-final on Tuesday, 14 July.
Japan's breakout star
19:42 , Mike JonesZion Suzuki, Parma
The young goalkeeper has established himself as No 1 for both Parma in Serie A and the Japan national team, and will be playing in his first World Cup.
Japan's star player
19:36 , Mike JonesAyase Ueda, Feyenoord
Not many teams have such an in-form striker at the World Cup.
How are the Japan shaping up?
19:30 , Mike JonesJapan have risen up the world rankings in recent years and find themselves inside the top 20 coming into this World Cup. Consecutive appearances in the knockout stages and wins over Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022 proved their ability to compete with the best in the world.
Hajime Moriyasu has built a well-organised team full of energy and technical craft, who beat England at Wembley in March. Expect to see Japan on plenty of lists of “dark horses” over the coming days.
Their squad play all over Europe, and perhaps most eye-catching this season has been Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda, who won the Eredivisie Golden Boot scoring 25 goals in 31 games. The great disappointment for Japan is that Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma is injured and will miss the tournament.
Netherland's breakout star
19:24 , Mike JonesCrysencio Summerville, West Ham
The 24-year-old is well known to Premier League fans and could now make an impact on the global stage with his pace and trickery on the ball.
Jurrien Timber ruled out of World Cup in blow for Netherlands
19:18 , Mike JonesArsenal’s Dutch defender Jurrien Timber has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a groin injury.
Timber, who missed the Premier League run-in as Arsenal clinched their first title in 22 years, will leave the Netherlands’ training camp in New York after Monday night’s friendly against Uzbekistan.
Jurrien Timber ruled out of World Cup in blow for Netherlands
Netherland's star player
19:12 , Mike JonesRyan Gravenberch, Liverpool
Liverpool’s holding midfielder has not had an outstanding season by his high standards, but he is one of the best in the world in his position when he’s on form, and will be key both in shielding the defence and carrying the ball upfield.
How are the Netherlands shaping up?
19:06 , Mike JonesThe Dutch may only be eighth favourites before the World Cup began, according to most bookmakers, but they say defences win tournaments and Netherlands have one of the best in North America this summer.
The captain, Virgil van Dijk, was set to be paired with Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber in the heart of the backline alongside Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven at left-back and Denzel Dumfries – who is due to sign for Real Madrid from Inter – at right-back. That is before you get to Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke.
An injury to Timber has seen him withdraw from the squad with Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida called up instead.
Ronald Koeman can call upon an impressive midfield, too, of Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders – it is just a pity for the Netherlands that Xavi Simons has been ruled out by injury.
Unusually for a Dutch team, it is the attacking options which are a little thin. But Donyell Malen found astonishing form on loan at Roma this season, scoring 14 goals since joining from Aston Villa in January, and he is likely to lead the line.
Group F fixtures
19:00 , Mike Jones(All times BST)
14 June, 9pm: Netherlands v Japan – AT&T Stadium, Arlington
15 June, 3am: Tunisia v Sweden – Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe
20 June, 6pm: Netherlands v Sweden – NRG Stadium, Houston
21 June, 5am: Japan v Tunisia – Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe
26 June, 12am: Sweden v Japan – AT&T Stadium, Arlington
26 June, 12am: Tunisia v Netherlands – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
World Cup 2026 – Group F guide
18:54 , Lawrence OstlereGroup F looks on paper like one of the most intriguing of the 2026 World Cup, with four sides who will all fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.
The Netherlands may not have the attacking firepower of previous generations, but they have vast quality and experience in defence and midfield, and will start the group as the favourites to take top spot. But they face competition from a talented Japanese side who are ranked 18th in the world, a Swedish team with outstanding forward players, and a hard-to-beat Tunisian outfit.
With the newly expanded 48-team format, there is the potential for an odd situation in which it is preferable to qualify finishing third than it is to finish second, where Brazil are likely to await in the round of 32. It also means there will be a strong incentive to win the group, and that should make it all the more interesting to watch.
Empty seats at another World Cup match after ticket price controversy
18:48 , Jamie BraidwoodThe World Cup 2026 match between Switzerland and Qatar played out in front of hundreds of empty seats to raise further questions about Fifa’s ticket prices for the tournament.
The Group B clash at the 70,000-capacity Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco on Saturday was the first game to be staged in the United States not involving the co-hosts and it failed to sell out.
Empty seats at another World Cup match after ticket price controversy
Two arrested for peace officer assault at Canada vs Bosnia
18:42 , Will CastleToronto police arrested two men “associated with a Bosnian fan group” during Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, it has been revealed.
The Toronto Police Service confirmed in a statement that the two men, of Germany and aged 25 and 27, were both arrested and charged for assaulting a peace officer after forces were called to an altercation in the stands at the Toronto Stadium around 2.20pm local time on Friday afternoon.
The Toronto Police Association warned on X: “We’re glad you’re here to enjoy the World Cup but please do so safely.
“Never put your hands on a police officer. They will arrest you. You will be charged. Our holding cells do not have TVs. You will miss the game you came to enjoy.”
US World Cup ticket prices skyrocket after win over Paraguay
18:36 , Will CastleFans eager to join the United States men's national team's World Cup journey are facing rapidly escalating ticket prices on the resale market, with some matches seeing over a 60 percent jump in just three days.
This dramatic surge follows the USMNT's impressive 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening match on Friday, igniting a wave of optimism among supporters.
The "get-in price" for the upcoming group stage clash against Australia now starts at $1,735, according to TicketData. The Americans' Group D finale on 25 June against Turkey back in Los Angeles, has seen an even greater proportional spike over the same stretch, with the get-in price up 73 percent to $1,516.
England engulfed by disruption as they arrive in Kansas City
18:30 , Will CastleEngland have arrived at their World Cup home away from home in Kansas City, the day after it emerged that equipment had been stolen from their base.
Some of the team’s boots and official tournament balls were discovered stolen on Friday, though Football Association sources have indicated the majority of the equipment, which wasn’t irreplaceable, has now been recovered.
The incident is expected to have no impact on the preparations of Thomas Tuchel’s team, but that isn’t the only extraordinary incident that’s hit the camp over the past few days.
It also emerged that England’s team chef was stopped from boarding a train to Orlando ahead of Wednesday’s warm-up clash with Costa Rica... because of his cooking knives!
And now, on their first night in Missouri, the Kansas City region has been hit by a tornado. They’ll hope this isn’t an omen for their campaign to come.
Ghana respond after Thomas Partey denied entry into Canada
18:24 , Will CastleGhana have spoken out against the “flimsy” grounds on which Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada for the 2026 World Cup, with sports minister Kofi Adams urging a review of the decision.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder will, as it stands, miss Ghana’s World Cup opener on Wednesday against Panama in Toronto after being denied a Canadian visa. The 33-year-old has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police and is awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
"If any Ghanaian is touched anywhere, we will not keep quiet over it," Adams told local station Channel One TV on Friday.
"Through the appropriate channels, we have communicated to the rightful authorities and are requesting for them to use all processes to review and give opportunity for a review of such a decision that we think frowns on international laws and conventions, which both Ghana and Canada are party to.”
Controversy surrounds Switzerland penalty in Qatar draw
18:18 , Will CastleSwitzerland were punished for playing with their food as Qatar snatched a last-gasp equaliser in their controversial Group B opener, delivering the country a first ever World Cup point.
Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead from the spot early on, though the penalty was engulfed in contention after it was undetermined whether the player fouled was offside or not. No replay was shown, with Gary Neville labelling Fifa “a dictatorship” for a lack of transparency. Fifa later explained in a statement that a “a brief technical outage” had prevented the images being broadcast.
The Swiss took control of the game from that moment, and it didn’t look like they would cease it. But after failing to add to their lead with 26 efforts on goal, Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi wrote himself into history in the 94th minute, heading home to open Group B right up.
A seismic moment for Qatari football, the match was still played out in front of noticeable patches of empty seats, despite the official attendance claiming the 68,500-capacity Levi’s Stadium was 99.2 percent full.
Everything you missed from day three at World Cup 2026
Everything you missed from day three at World Cup 2026
18:12 , Will CastleScotland mark first World Cup in 28 years with win
We begin with a World Cup party in Boston. Scotland are back on the global stage for the first time in 28 years... and they have a win to their name.
John McGinn got the decisive goal, firing a deflected effort beyond Haiti goalkeeper Johny Placide after a brilliant Ben Gannon-Doak cross forced the issue.
Haiti, who never looked out of the game, fought until the very end in search of an equaliser, with striker Frantzdy Pierrot seeing a late header go agonisingly wide in what was probably the Caribbean nation's best chance of the game.
But by clinging onto their clean sheet, Scotland were able to get the win over the line in a legacy-defining triumph for Steve Clarke. A huge boost to their hopes of getting into the knockouts, his side now go straight to the TOP of Group B after Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 in New York.
World Cup 2026 fixtures, results and group tables
18:06 , Mike JonesThe World Cup sees 48 nations divided into 12 groups for the first time in the tournament’s long history.
Co-hosts Mexico, USA and Canada are the top seeds in Groups A, B and D respectively, while Scotland are in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti, and England are all the way down in Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
World Cup 2026 fixtures, results and group tables
How to watch Netherlands v Japan
18:00 , Mike JonesTonight’s match will be played at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas and will kick off at 9pm BST (3pm CDT).
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on ITV1 with coverage beginning after the conclusion of the match between Germany and Curacao.
You can also stream the game on ITV X.
Good evening!
16:14 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s World Cup action where we’ll have the updates from Group F as the Netherlands take on Japan.
The group stage has already thrown up a couple of surprising results and there could be another on the cards with Japan posing a viable threat to the Dutch this evening.
Kick off for this game is 9pm BST and we’ll have all the build-up, team news and updates from Texas.
