Group F
Standings, fixtures, scenarios, and group predictor
Dutch pragmatism meets Japanese chaos
Netherlands vs. Japan pits Ronald Koeman's structured 3-5-2 against Hajime Moriyasu's high-pressing 4-2-3-1. The Dutch backline of Van Dijk and De Ligt must contain Kaoru Mitoma's sprints. Japan stunned Germany and Spain in 2022; another upset here would echo through /world-cup-2026-groups.
Sweden's aerial threat versus Tunisia's low block
Alexander Isak's height tests Tunisia's compact 5-4-1, where Ellyes Skhiri shields the backline. Sweden's set-piece dominance (12 headed goals in Euro 2024 qualifying) meets a Tunisian side that conceded just twice in their last six World Cup qualifiers. Check /world-cup-2026-standings for third-place tiebreakers.
The third-place equation
With only two automatic qualifiers, Japan's opener against Sweden could decide who chases third. Tunisia's matchday two clash with the Dutch is brutal — if they steal a point, it complicates everything. Follow /live for real-time scenarios as Group F unfolds.
Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs JapanEstadio Dallas | Sun, Jun 14, 2026 · 21:00 ET | f | – | Scheduled |
| Sweden vs TunisiaEstadio Monterrey | Mon, Jun 15, 2026 · 03:00 ET | f | – | Scheduled |
| Netherlands vs SwedenEstadio Houston | Sat, Jun 20, 2026 · 21:00 ET | f | – | Scheduled |
| Japan vs TunisiaEstadio Atlanta | Sun, Jun 21, 2026 · 17:00 ET | f | – | Scheduled |
| Japan vs SwedenEstadio Dallas | Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 00:00 ET | f | – | Scheduled |
| Tunisia vs NetherlandsEstadio Kansas City | Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 00:00 ET | f | – | Scheduled |
Qualification rules
Top two in Group F advance to the Round of 32. Third place enters the pool of twelve third-placed teams; the best eight on points, goal difference, and goals scored join the knockout bracket.
Scenarios
Use the predictor below to test scorelines. A win is three points, a draw one. Goal difference matters when points are level.
Group F
NED vs JPNSWE vs TUNNED vs SWEJPN vs TUNJPN vs SWETUN vs NED| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Has Japan ever beaten the Netherlands?+
No. Their only meeting was a 3-0 Dutch win in a 2010 friendly, with Wesley Sneijder scoring twice.
How many World Cups has Tunisia won?+
None. Their best was advancing from the group stage in 1978 and 2006 — both times finishing third.
What stadiums will host Group F matches?+
Confirmed venues include MetLife (New Jersey) and Lumen Field (Seattle). See /world-cup-2026-schedule for exact fixtures.
Could all three European teams advance if Tunisia finishes last?+
No — the Netherlands and Sweden are the only UEFA sides here. Tunisia is CAF's sole representative in Group F.
When was Sweden's last knockout stage appearance?+
2018. They reached the quarterfinals before losing 2-0 to England — their deepest run since 1994.