In a remarkable statistical milestone, the Netherlands entered the 2026 World Cup match against Japan with a starting lineup featuring no players from the Dutch Eredivisie, a first in the nation’s World Cup history.
Head coach Ronald Koeman made this unprecedented decision, fielding all 11 players from top foreign leagues, highlighting a significant shift in the team’s composition. In a twist of irony, Japan’s starting XI included two players from the Dutch league, showcasing the contrasting representation between the two teams.
This unusual scenario resulted in the Dutch domestic league having a greater presence in the Japanese team than within its own national squad.