The 2026 World Cup begins for the Netherlands on Sunday, and the side was hoping to improve on its quarterfinal finish at the 2022 World Cup. Injury news involving Xavi Simons (torn ACL), Jurriën Timber (groin), Matthijs de Ligt (back), and Jerdy Schouten (torn ACL) was bad enough. All four will miss the 2026 World Cup.
The Dutch supporters became even more worried as they headed into their World Cup opener against Japan today at 4 p.m. ET. CF Memphis Depay, GK Bart Verbruggen, and MID Justin Kluivert were questionable, with Verbruggen as the main concern.
Verbruggen suffered a hip injury against Uzbekistan on June 8, and it was feared that the first-choice starter would miss at least the 2026 World Cup opener.
Starting CF Memphis Depay suffered a thigh injury in March and was initially expected to be out for a month. MID Justin Kluivert comes off a severe knee injury suffered in January.
Below, we’ll break down the latest Netherlands injury report, including Memphis Depay, Bart Verbruggen, and Justin Kluivert injury updates vs. Japan, followed by how the news impacts the Netherlands vs. Japan picks on PrizePicks.
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Netherlands Injury Report: Will Depay, Verbruggen, and Kluivert Play Today vs. Japan?
Early Friday morning, just two days before the Netherlands’ opener, it was confirmed that all three players will be available.
So far, it is clear that the Dutch feel confident enough to start Verbruggen. He was a full participant in the Netherlands’ final pre-match training session before Sunday's Matchday 1 Texas-sized battle with Japan.
Verbruggen was named to start in his second World Cup after impressive performances with Brighton and Hove Albion and the Dutch squad. The 23-year-old has been a reliable goalie at every stop and has expressed considerable confidence in his defense. Verbruggen ranked in the 85th percentile with 106 saves in his 2025-26 campaign with Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, per FotMob.
Memphis Depay is expected to start but be subbed for the Netherlands on Sunday. Returning from a thigh injury over the past few weeks, the 32-year-old typically has come in as a super-sub of sorts. He is important to any Dutch run, providing a spark either initially or off the bench.
Finally, there is Justin Kluivert. The initial projection was that Kluivert would be eased in as a substitute during group-stage play. The 27-year-old again did not play for four months. In his return with AFC Bournemouth, the Dutch midfielder played 14 minutes against Manchester City. Do not expect many minutes in the early going.
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What Netherlands Players to Target on PrizePicks If Depay, Kluivert Are Limited?
With several other injuries as well as Depay and Kluivert being limited, let’s see who will be counted upon to make more sizeable impacts for the Dutch in this World Cup.
Players like Lutsharl Geertruida could be expected to play more CB. Geertruida is a 25-year-old defender who has impressed with his versatility, including 86.1% successful passes (77th percentile) and 10 blocked shots (80th percentile) over 28 matches for Sunderland in 2025-26..
Here are the Dutch players who may benefit most on PrizePicks with Depay and Kluivert potentially seeing limited action — plus their stat projections for Sunday.
DF Lutsharel Geertruida — 0.5 Fouls (Goblin) / 0.5 Goal + Assist (Demon) / 0.5 Shots on Target (Demon)
MID Noa Lang — 1.5 Shots (Goblin) / 0.5 Fouls (Goblin) / 0.5 Cards (Demon)
FW Wout Weghorst— 1.5 Shots (Goblin) / 0.5 Fouls Drawn (Goblin)
Noa Lang and Wout Weghorst could benefit from the injuries and depth concerns within the Dutch squad. Lang most recently played 13 games for Galatasaray in the 202-26 Süper Lig, tallying 3 assists and 16 shots. He could see more minutes in a Group F that is lighter than expected.
Wout Weghorst, along with Brian Brobbey, figures to see more time as well. Weghorst may be counted early in group play. The 33-year-old is a hard-working center forward. In 52 CAPS, Weghorst has racked up 14 goals for the Netherlands, including 2 goals over four 2022 World Cup matches. He can start or come off the bench against Japan.
Combine Geertruida picks + Lang picks for your Netherlands vs. Japan prediction on PrizePicks.
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Netherlands Picks for 2026 World Cup
With the fitness of certain Dutch players a marked concern, how could the injuries impact Netherlands picks for World Cup 2026?
Here are some more Netherlands predictions on PrizePicks for the 2026 World Cup. Check out more of our World Cup picks and predictions on Playbook.
Lock in your Netherlands 2026 World Cup predictions on PrizePicks.
Player and Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Netherlands to Qualify from Group F: Yes 1.05x | No 8.33x
The Netherlands payout to qualify on PrizePicks Team Picks has inched up slightly from 1.03x before the injuries were announced. The Dutch open against Group F foe Japan on Sunday afternoon. They remain the favorite in Group F despite the injury worries.
Furthest Advancing European Nation: Yes 10x | No 1.03x
The Netherlands remains a longer shot to advance further than any other European nation at the 2026 World Cup. Losing several players lengthens their chances. This year's tournament features 16 European nations, the highest representation of any continent.
Should the Netherlands win Group F, they find themselves on a favorable path through the early knockout rounds. The Dutch would avoid tougher teams like Brazil in the Round of 16. The Netherlands would likely not face a top-tier nation until the semifinals. This is provided Brazil wins their group over Morocco.
If the Dutch could somehow win against France/Spain/England, the sixth-placed European team in the payouts would be springing quite a surprise.
Netherlands to Win Group F: Yes 1.69x | No 2.08x
Despite the injuries and concerns, the Dutch are still the favorites to win Group F. Their opener against Japan will likely determine how the group plays out.
The Netherlands has the lowest payout to win Group F at 1.69x, followed by Japan at 3.22x, Sweden at 5.88x, and finally Tunisia at 14.28x.
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Make Netherlands vs. Japan World Cup Picks on PrizePicks
Despite dealing with numerous key injuries, the Netherlands heads into the 2026 World Cup with ambitious expectations when they face Japan at Dallas (AT&T) Stadium on Sunday. The absences of Simons, Timber, de Ligt, and Schouten will be felt, but manager Ronald Koeman believes he has reinforcements to fill their roles.
Will losing these players and the fitness of Depay, Verbruggen, and Kluivert be too much to overcome in World Cup 2026?
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Stick around with the Playbook for continued World Cup predictions, picks, and analysis through the end of the tournament.
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