Netherlands vs Japan: Ronald Koeman prepares Memphis Depay

JAKARTA - Striker Memphis Depay will be the mainstay of the Dutch front line when facing the tough opponent Japan in the first match of Group F of the 2026 World Cup. In the match held at the Dallas Stadium, Monday, June 15, 2026 early morning WIB, coach Ronald Koeman also prepared the player who made his club, West Ham United, relegated to the Championship.

Depay is still facing fitness problems that make his performance not optimal. An injury forced this Corinthians striker to step aside for two months. After recovering, Depay returned to play in May. However, the top scorer in the history of Dutch football after packing 55 goals has not improved.

However, Koeman still relies on Depay at the 2026 World Cup. Even the former Manchester United striker will be the first choice in the match against Japan at the stadium that is the home of the NFL elite club, the Dallas Cowboys.

"Memphis is fit. He can be a starter in this match [against Japan]," Koeman said as quoted by france24.

"He showed very good progress. It seems that everything is going very well," he said again. Koeman called Depay an important player in the Dutch squad. He believes the 32-year-old will be the key at the World Cup.

"He's a very important player. He's also been in the team for a long time. I'm sure he's the key to our success in this World Cup," said Koeman.

However, Koeman himself did not bring Depay down when the Netherlands beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in a friendly match last week. Instead, Depay was still played even though he was not full against Algeria, in early June.

In addition to Depay who will be the first choice for the Dutch center forward position, Koeman also brought in winger Crysencio Summerville. Who is he? Summerville is none other than West Ham's mainstay. It's just that even though he's consistent, he failed to keep The Hammers from staying in the English Premier League.

Yes, West Ham has to accept the fact of returning to the Championship in the 2026/2027 season. However, Summerville's performance still made Koeman fall in love so that he took him to the United States, Canada and Mexico. The all-round ability of this Surinamese player made Koeman take Summerville to the World Cup.

"We don't have many players who perform well on the right wing even though he is also very good on the left wing. He is a figure who completes the team. So, there is a chance for him to play," said Koeman.

Koeman's choice is indeed not wrong. The reason is that Summerville will replace Xavi Simmons in the first match. Not only Simmons who is absent, Koeman also lost the mainstay defender Jurrien Timber who led Arsenal to win the Premier League title.