[Roundup] FIFA World Cup 2026 Pre-Tournament Friendlies 6/8 Full Results — Netherlands Beat Uzbekistan 2-1 (Gakpo Brace), France See Olise Hat-Trick, Colombia Shut Out Opponents
International friendlies on 6/8 ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026. Netherlands, Japan's Group Stage opener opponent, defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 (Gakpo 2 goals), but faced late red card and conceded concerns. France won 3-1 with an Olise hat-trick, while Colombia secured a 2-0 clean sheet. A full recap of all results, scorers, highlights, and areas of concern.
Just before WC 2026 kicks off, major international friendly matches were held on 6/8 (local time). The Netherlands — Japan's Group F opening-match opponents — beat Uzbekistan 2–1. Cody Gakpo scored twice (both penalties) to secure the win, but the Dutch also showed weaknesses, including a late red card and conceding an equalizer before winning it. France beat Northern Ireland 3–1 thanks to a Michael Olise hat-trick, and Colombia shut out Jordan 2–0. Here's a recap of the results, scorers, positives, and concerns from each match.
info This article covers the friendly matches played on 6/8 (local time) (early morning on 6/9 in Japan). The Colombia vs. Jordan match was played on 6/7 local time (San Diego, USA = 6/8 in Japan). Japan's national team faces the Netherlands in their Group F opener at 05:00 JST on Monday, 6/15.
calendar_month Score Summary (6/8 · Local Time)
- Netherlands 2–1 Uzbekistan
- France 3–1 Northern Ireland
- Colombia 2–0 Jordan
_(Northern Ireland did not qualify for WC 2026. The Netherlands, Uzbekistan, France, Colombia, and Jordan are all qualified nations.)_
sports_soccer Netherlands 2–1 Uzbekistan (Japan's GL Opening-Match Opponents Take the Field)
- Venue: Icahn Stadium (New York). Kick-off at 03:45 JST on 6/9. Both nations are WC participants.
- Scorers: Gakpo (32', PK), Sergeev (90+2', Uzbekistan), Gakpo (90+8', PK)
- Positives: Ace Gakpo coolly converted two penalties to clinch the win. The team's attacking focal point remains in fine form, demonstrating his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
- Concerns: GK Flekken was substituted off injured at 66', and Til received a straight red card at 86'. The numerical disadvantage led to an equalizer at 90+2', exposing fragility in the closing stages. For Japan, this was a match that offered a glimpse of potential weaknesses to exploit.
sports_soccer France 3–1 Northern Ireland (Olise Scores Hat-Trick)
- Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Lille). Final tune-up match before the World Cup.
- Scorers: Olise (hat-trick = 3 goals); Northern Ireland pulled one back
- Positives: Olise led the team with an impressive three-goal performance. Title contenders France put their attacking firepower on full display.
- Concerns: Defensive concentration lapsed to allow one goal. Ahead of the tournament, tidying up the closing stages and set-piece defending remains a work in progress.
sports_soccer Colombia 2–0 Jordan (Arias Nets Brace in Clean Sheet Win)
- Venue: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego). ※ Played on 6/7 local time (6/8 in Japan).
- Scorers: Johan Arias (41'), Johan Arias (55')
- Positives: Arias scored one in each half for a brace. Colombia wrapped up their final pre-tournament preparation with a clean sheet and a victory.
- Concerns: Jordan are also a qualified nation. For Colombia, facing top-level competition of that caliber will be the ongoing challenge heading into the tournament.
local_fire_department Summary
In the friendly matches played on 6/8 (local time), Japan's Group F opening opponents the Netherlands edged Uzbekistan 2–1. While Gakpo's two penalties secured the narrow win, concerns also emerged in the form of a goalkeeper injury substitution, a red card, and a late goal conceded. France demonstrated their attacking prowess with a comfortable win thanks to Olise's hat-trick, and Colombia also claimed a clean sheet victory. Qualified nations across the board are pressing ahead with their final preparations.
Japan's national team faces those same Netherlands in their Group F opener at 05:00 JST on Monday, 6/15. Plenty of material has now emerged to assess the opponent's condition. Check the latest schedule on the article Calendar and each nation's group assignments on the article Team List.
_※ Scores and scorers are based on reports from ESPN, Sky Sports, and the respective national football associations. Dates are given in local time (Colombia vs. Jordan was played on 6/7 local time = 6/8 in Japan). Player photo source: Wikimedia Commons._