World Cup: Netherlands vs Japan 14/06/2026

The Netherlands may be one of the tournament favorites, but Japan’s long-standing cohesion and ability to compete with elite teams make this a much closer matchup than the odds suggest. While the Dutch have greater individual talent, Japan’s organization and consistency provide strong value on the Double Chance (X2) market.

Double chance betting

The Netherlands enters the tournament as the favorite to win the group and is considered one of the leading contenders for the World Cup title. The squad is packed with star players, many of whom play key roles in Europe’s biggest leagues, while recent results have been impressive, including an unbeaten run to the quarter-finals in Qatar and a semi-final appearance at Euro 2020.

Japan, however, is the definition of a true team. The level of chemistry within the squad is exceptional, having worked under the same head coach for eight years, and they consistently compete on equal terms with the world’s strongest national teams. Their victories over Germany and Spain at the previous World Cup were no coincidence, while more recent friendlies saw them defeat England at Wembley and Brazil at a neutral venue.

In my view, the gap between these two sides is much smaller than the market suggests. The Netherlands has the bigger individual names, but Japan is a far more cohesive and balanced team. I believe the Dutch are overpriced favorites. With the home win available at odds just below even money, there is clear value in opposing them, making Japan Double Chance (X2) my selection.