Day 4 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has rather a lot in retailer for followers.
The headline occasion on Sunday is the Netherlands vs Japan group match: a conflict of the three-time runners-up and one of many strongest Asian groups.
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We may also witness historical past being made as Curacao turn into the smallest-ever nation to play on the World Cup, after they start their event by dealing with Germany.
Ecuador – counted among the many event’s darkhorses – are additionally in motion, dealing with Ivory Coast, whereas Sweden face Tunisia as they return after lacking the final version.
Away from the soccer, basketball fever engulfed New York, because the Knicks have been topped NBA champions, taking the highlight away from the World Cup in the US.
That are the World Cup video games immediately?
- Germany vs Curacao: NRG Stadium, Houston – 12pm native (17:00 GMT)
- Netherlands vs Japan: AT&T Stadium, Dallas – 2pm native (20:00 GMT)
- Ivory Coast vs Ecuador: Lincoln Monetary Discipline, Philadelphia – 7pm native (23:00 GMT)
- Sweden vs Tunisia: Estadio Monterrey, Guadulpe – 7:30pm native (02:00 GMT Sunday)
Netherlands face Japan in must-watch group recreation
Sunday’s match between the Netherlands and Japan is amongst Al Jazeera’s top-five must-watch group video games of the 2026 World Cup.
Runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010, the Netherlands kick off Group F with an thrilling assembly with Japan, who’re able to pulling off main upsets, having defeated each Germany and Spain within the group stage on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
After reaching the ultimate thrice, the Dutch – by their very own admission – are placing strain on themselves to go all the way in which in North America.
Whereas the Netherlands’ earlier golden technology – the 1988 Euro-winning workforce – couldn’t replicate their continental success on the worldwide stage, Ronald Koeman’s present crop of gamers has the expertise and calibre. And for the primary time, have an outdoor likelihood of lifting the trophy.
“We put loads of strain on ourselves,” Koeman advised reporters on Saturday. “We wish to go far within the event. We’ve a powerful workforce and we all know what we have to enhance to have an actual likelihood.
“However we have to take it one recreation at a time. We have to focus first on Japan, which can be a troublesome recreation.”
Boasting the likes of high-profile gamers equivalent to Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, Tijjani Reijnders and Cody Gakpo, the Dutch are ones to observe within the opening spherical of the expanded 48-team World Cup.
Japan, although, will look to spoil their celebration. Coach Hajime Moriyasu is aware of his aspect face a battle to get via a difficult group if the Samurai Blue are to ship on his dream of going into uncharted territory on the World Cup.
“We’ve to outlive this stage it doesn’t matter what, however on the identical time I see that it’s a really robust group,” stated Moriyasu, who took Japan into the final 16 on the finals in Qatar. “The highest of the highest expertise is discovered within the Netherlands workforce.
Japan have by no means received a recreation within the knockout section of the World Cup, dropping on every of their 4 earlier appearances within the final 16, and Moriyasu’s aspect go into the finals with out influential captain Wataru Endo. However be careful for Ayase Ueda, Takefusa Kubo, Junya Ito and Daichi Kamada.
Netherlands vs Japan prediction
Stats supplier Opta’s supercomputer has given the Netherlands a 50.2 % likelihood of successful this Group F match towards Japan, who’ve 24.5 % odds of victory. There’s a 25.2 % likelihood of a draw.
General, the Dutch are frontrunners to come back out on prime on this group, with a 49.46 % likelihood. The opposite groups on this part are Tunisia and Sweden.
Tips on how to watch Netherlands vs Japan?
- Netherlands: NPO 1, NPO 3, nos.nl
- Japan: NHK BS4K, DAZN, NHK Basic TV
- United Kingdom: STV, STV Participant, ITV1, ITVX
- USA: FOX One, Telemundo Community, Telemundo App, FOX, Peacock
Tiny Curacao set to make World Cup historical past in Germany take a look at
Curacao – the tiny Caribbean island of simply over 150,000 individuals and protecting solely 443 sq. kilometres (171 sq. miles) – is about to turn into the smallest nation ever to compete at a FIFA World Cup.
After scripting a fairytale qualification, they arrive in North America as one of many 4 debutants and face the daunting activity of taking part in four-time world champions Germany.
However Curacao, who rely closely on their diaspora within the Netherlands for gamers, usually are not giving up simply but.
“We’re a small nation in comparison with Germany, however we are going to make life troublesome for them and be a tricky workforce to play,” coach Dick Advocaat stated.
“We’ve nothing to lose. The expectation isn’t that top outdoors of us as a squad, as a result of we expect we are able to shock individuals. Simply being right here is nice for the gamers and the nation, however we even have to indicate individuals what we’re made from.”
Together with Curacao, Advocaat can also be set to attain a report – the 78-year-old will turn into the oldest coach in World Cup historical past.
Germany vs Curacao prediction
Germany has a whopping 90.7 % likelihood of successful this Group E recreation towards Curacao, who’ve a mere 3.6 % of pulling off an upset. There’s a 5.7 % likelihood the sport ends in a draw.
General, Germany have a 65.32 % likelihood of topping this group, which additionally contains Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Tips on how to watch Germany vs Curacao?
- Germany: Fussball.TV 2, DasErste, ARD Mediathek
- Curacao: DGO, DSPORTS
- United Kingdom: ITV1, STV Participant, ITVX, STV
- USA: FOX One, Telemundo Community, Telemundo App, FOX, Peacock
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador prediction
This one’s an attention-grabbing fixture, with each groups having a near-equal likelihood of successful.
Ivory Coast have a 37.5 % likelihood of successful, whereas Ecuador’s likelihood of a win stand at 35.2 %. A draw has an odd of 27.3 %.
Sweden vs Tunisia prediction
Sweden are favourites to win this recreation, having a 51.1 % likelihood of victory. Tunisia’s odds stand at 23.2 % – decrease than the 25.7 % likelihood of a draw.
New York’s victorious Knicks depart World Cup within the chilly
The World Cup carnival lastly kicked off in New York on Saturday, as Brazil and Morocco confronted off in a heavyweight Group C conflict. However the soccer fever was overshadowed by the basketball elation after the hometown Knicks broke a 53-year curse to win the NBA Finals.
New York erupted in celebration within the aftermath of the Knicks’ 94-90 Sport 5 win over San Antonio Spurs, with followers letting off fireworks and a cacophony of cheers and automotive horns reverberating across the metropolis.
“Knicks in 5!” chanted crowds after the hometown basketball dynasty sealed the seven-match sequence in 5.
Instances Sq. in central Manhattan was filled with Brazil and Morocco followers following their conflict, however the remainder of the town surged with elated crowds of Knicks followers.
