Verbruggen and Depay declared fit as Netherlands prepare for World Cup opener against Japan in Dallas

Fitness boost for Oranje

Koeman told reporters that Verbruggen, who suffered a hip bruise in a friendly against Uzbekistan on Monday, is ready. "He is fit to play," the coach said. The Brighton goalkeeper completed a full training session with the 26-man squad on Saturday in Kansas City before the team travelled to Texas.

“He is fit to play.”

Depay's status had been another question mark. The all-time top scorer for the Netherlands had been building sharpness and Koeman left the door open for him to lead the line. "It is getting better and better, he has made big steps. He is one hundred percent fit and could start," Koeman said. Donyell Malen missed chances in the warm-up matches against Algeria and Uzbekistan but Koeman insisted other forwards also spurned opportunities and that the first-choice striker would be named on matchday.

“He is one hundred percent fit and could start.”

Japan under new captaincy

Japan enter the contest with a new leader after Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo was ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury. Ajax defender Ko Itakura takes the armband. Itakura said his side had studied the Dutch thoroughly. "We have analyzed them one by one and we have practised in training a way to deal with them," he stated. Japan, who beat Spain and Germany in Qatar, are confident but Itakura warned that small details could decide the outcome. "We must not give them space," he added. Coach Hajime Moriyasu replaced Endo in the squad with Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Shuto Machino, noting that Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu can also cover midfield if needed.

“We have analyzed them one by one and we have practised in training a way to deal with them.”

Koeman returns to Dallas

This fixture carries personal resonance for Koeman. His last international appearance as a player came in Dallas at the 1994 World Cup, a 3‑2 defeat to eventual champions Brazil. "It was a great match, but what also stayed with me was that we played at noon and it was incredibly hot," he recalled. The match against Japan is an evening kick-off, 22:00 Dutch time, which should offer cooler conditions inside the stadium in Arlington.

“It was a great match, but what also stayed with me was that we played at noon and it was incredibly hot.”

Countdown to kick-off

All 26 players participated in the final training session at the KC Current facility in Kansas City on Saturday. Thunderstorms briefly threatened the session but the lightning cleared in time for a full workout. The squad then flew to Dallas, where Koeman and midfielder Frenkie de Jong held a press conference at 18:30 local time (01:30 Sunday Dutch time). The group-stage opener kicks off at AT&T Stadium on Sunday evening.