Group F features the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia. The Netherlands come in as the strongest team on paper, with the historical cachet to match. Japan are in that next tier just slightly further back, but eagerly pushing to join the top ranks. Sweden looked sure to miss out on this World Cup, but hiring Graham Potter turned things around for them and they managed to make it through the qualifying playoffs. Tunisia enter as the only African team to compete at five or more World Cups who
have never gotten out of their group. Let’s take a look at Group F to quickly examine the teams and their chances of winning the group.
Schedule
Sunday, June 14th
Netherlands vs. Japan (4pm), Sweden vs. Tunisia (10pm)
Saturday, June 20th
Netherlands vs. Sweden (1pm), Tunisia vs Japan (midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning)
Thursday, June 25th
Japan vs. Sweden, Tunisia vs. Netherlands (both at 7pm)
Netherlands
The Netherlands enter the tournament as the best team to never win a World Cup, having reached the final three times but never lifted the trophy. Even with omissions like Xavi Simons and Matthijs de Ligt (injuries) and Jeremie Frimpong (not included on roster), manager Ronald Koeman has an extremely talented squad at his disposal. Seven of their players come from top global clubs Barcelona, Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. The defense includes captain Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool, age 34), Nathan Aké (Man City), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), and Jurriën Timber (Arsenal). The midfield boasts Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Tijjani Reijnders (Man City), and Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool). The attack is led by Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Memphis Depay (Corinthians, age 32), and Wout Weghorst (Ajax). There are several US connections, with attacking midfielder Guus Til a current PSV teammate of Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi, winger Noa Lang a former teammate there at PSV (now at Galatasaray), holding mid Teun Koopmeiners playing with Weston McKennie at Juventus, and attacker Donyell Malen a longtime teammate of Gio Reyna’s at Dortmund.
FIFA Ranking: 7
Elo Ranking: 8
Odds of Winning Group: Favorites
One to Watch: It’s hard to pick just one. Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders are both electric to watch.
Japan
Japan has made it to the round of 16 in back-to-back World Cups and four out of the last six – but never beyond there. The mission this time around is to get to the quarterfinals. Manager Hajime Moriyasu has a talented bunch to work with, although they will feel the loss of injured attackers Kaoro Mitoma (Brighton) and Takumi Minamino (Folarin Balogun’s teammate at Monaco). Liverpool holding midfielder Wataru Endo is the team captain, and Takefuso Kubo (Real Sociedad) and Daichi Kamada (Chris Richards’ teammate at Crystal Palace) will be creative forces, along with Ritsu Dōan (Frankfurt), and Daizen Maeda (Celtic). Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax, formerly Arsenal) play in defense along with CB Kō Itakura (Ajax, formerly a Man City loanee). New Jersey-born Zion Suzuki is the first-choice goalkeeper at age 23, and center mid Ao Tanaka plays with Brenden Aaronson at Leeds.
FIFA Ranking: 18
Elo Ranking: 13
Odds of Winning: Contender
One to Watch: Take Kubo is a clever attacker; look for him to help create some goals.
Sweden
2026 looked truly out of reach for Sweden after they crashed out of a UEFA qualifying group with Switzerland, Kosovo, and Slovenia. Their fortunes changed when they got Graham Potter in the manager’s chair, and here they are. Potter has some choice players to select, especially in the attack with Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Alexander Isak (Liverpool), and Anthony Elanga (Newcastle). Defender Victor Lindelöf is the captain at age 31, having joined Aston Villa after making 194 appearances with Manchester United. Midfielder Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham) and left back/left mid Daniel Svensson (a former teammate of Gio Reyna’s at Dortmund) are also on the squad.
FIFA Ranking: 38
Elo Ranking: 41
Odds of Winning: Outside Shot
One to Watch: Alexander Isak might be Sweden’s most special talent, but he may not be playing at his peak as he continues to work his way back from injury; if he’s not, it will be up to Viktor Gyökeres to play the hero.
Tunisia
Tunisia comes into the 2026 World Cup as the only African nation to compete at five or more World Cups without ever making it out of their group. Manager Sabri Lamouchi is looking to change that. Tunisia qualified for the World Cup in 2002 and 2006, missed out in 2010 and 2014, and returned in 2018 and 2022. Their squad includes Hannibal Mejbri of Burnley and 31-year-old Ellyes Skhiri of Eintracht Frankfurt, the team captain.
FIFA Ranking: 45
Elo Ranking: 59
Odds of Winning: Slim Chance
One to Watch: Hannibal Mejbri has shown he can compete at the Premier League level — he’ll need to perform like that, and lift some of his teammates to a higher level, to help Tunisia make it through.
Who will advance from Group F? What matches are most interesting to you? Let us know in the comments.
