World Cup Group F preview and predictions: Will Netherlands prevail?
Jesse YomtovGroup F at the 2026 World Cup is one of the deepest pools in this tournament, featuring the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
The Dutch look like the favorites to finish atop the group but the road won't be easy, opening their World Cup run against Japan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on June 14. The Netherlands reached the quarterfinals in 2022 and is coming off a semifinal appearance in Euro 2024, but Japan has been a mainstay in the World Cup knockout stage, advancing out of the group four times in its past seven appearances.
Sweden's roster includes star forwards Alexander Isak (Liverpool) and Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), but the team had a rough qualifying campaign and was fortunate to earn a spot in the European playoffs.
Tunisia is the weakest team in the group at first glance, but remember that the North African side sprung an upset on France in the 2022 group stage.
Here's what to know for Group F:
World Cup Group F teams
Japan
Making their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, the Japanese have advanced to the knockout stage more often than not during the stretch. Manager Hajime Moriyasu has led "Samurai Blue" since 2018, and his team pulled off major upsets against Spain and Germany in the 2022 World Cup group stage before falling to Croatia in penalty kicks in the Round of 16.
Key players: Wataru Endo, Hiroki Itō, Kaishu Sano
Japan World Cup ticketsNetherlands
The Dutch have one of the best defensive units in this World Cup with Virgil van Dijk, Jurrien Timber and Denzel Dumfries all starring for European giants. Now playing club ball in Brazil, Memphis Depay recovered from injury just in time to make the 26-man squad and would become the Netherlands' third most-capped player in history with three appearances in this tournament.
Key players: Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo
Netherlands World Cup ticketsSweden
Managed by former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, Sweden features two of the Premier League's most expensive strikers in Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, the latter scoring four of the team's six goals in the two qualifying playoff games. Sweden went winless in its first six qualifiers and was fortunate to even get into the playoffs via the Nations League route. But this team has players who can score goals, vital to the potential third-place tiebreakers.
Key players: Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak, Jesper Karlström
Sweden World Cup ticketsTunisia
A France international as a player, Tunisia manager Sabri Lamouchi is making his second World Cup appearance after leading Ivory Coast at the 2014 tournament. A former Manchester United prospect, 23-year-old midfielder Hannibal Mejbri already has 45 caps for Tunisia. In the 2022 group stage finale, Tunisia scored a controversial upset of France (which was resting its starters), with the eventual runner-ups' equalizer in stoppage time overturned by VAR.
Key players: Hannibal Mejbri, Ellyes Skhiri, Ali Abdi
Tunisia World Cup ticketsWorld Cup Group F schedule
June 14
- Netherlands vs. Japan – Dallas, 4 p.m. ET
- Sweden vs. Tunisia – Monterrey, Mexico, 10 p.m. ET
June 20
- Netherlands vs. Sweden – Houston, 1 p.m. ET
- Tunisia vs. Japan – Monterrey, 12 a.m. ET (June 21)
June 25
- Japan vs. Sweden – Dallas, 7 p.m. ET
- Tunisia vs. Netherlands – Kansas City, 7 p.m. ET
World Cup Group F prediction
Predicted order of finish:
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Sweden
- Tunisia
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