Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and current NOS TV commentator Rafael van der Vaart apologized Wednesday after making an ill-advised comment while breaking down the Netherlands' 2-2 draw with Japan on Sunday.

Japanese soccer fans have gone viral once again for tidying up the stadium after their team’s World Cup soccer match against the Netherlands this week, only to prompt a meme criticizing the country’s men for not applying the same standards of behavior while at home.

The Netherlands national team opened training at its base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 10.  The Dutch practiced for just over an hour at the NWSL Kansas City Current’s training facility.

Japan, Germany's rout, Ivory Coast, and Spain's outlook.

Netherlands and Japan play out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Dallas with all four goals coming in the second half

A Fox broadcaster chided the Japanese team after another corner kick attempt was thwarted by the Netherlands in a World Cup game on Sunday. “The Japanese players think they’re taller than they actually are,