Jan Paul van Hecke is expected to start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk in central defense for the Netherlands against Japan in their 2026 World Cup Group F opener in Dallas on June 13 [1, 2]. Van Hecke earned his place after teammate Jurrien Timber was ruled out due to an injury, ending Timber’s tournament hopes [1, 2].
Van Hecke, currently playing for Brighton & Hove Albion, expressed pride in being at the World Cup. “An enormous feeling of pride. It’s fantastic to be here,” he said, while also showing sympathy for Timber: “It’s my dream, but it was also his dream. It’s a real shame that his dream has fallen apart,” he added [1].
The 22-year-old defender looks to continue a family legacy. His uncle, 70-year-old Jan Poortvliet, played for the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina in extra time [1, 2]. Poortvliet’s involvement came after first-choice Hugo Hovenkamp suffered an injury just two weeks before the tournament. Poortvliet played in six matches during the 1978 tournament, showcasing versatility across defense and defensive midfield [1, 2].
Poortvliet, who briefly coached Van Hecke at the under-17 level, reflected on his own experience: “Hugo was in the form of his life, but that’s how things sometimes go. Even then he had that strong determination to seize every opportunity,” he said [1].
Looking ahead to the match against Japan, Van Hecke acknowledged the quality of their opponents. “We’re facing a strong opponent right away. Winning 1–0 at Wembley against England says a lot,” he said. Van Hecke singled out Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma as their best player but regretted Mitoma’s withdrawal from the World Cup due to injury. “I’m very sorry for him that he had to withdraw from the World Cup... But even without Mitoma, Japan have a strong team,” Van Hecke added [1].
The Group F opener will take place in Dallas on June 13, marking a significant milestone for Van Hecke as he starts in his first World Cup match.