All four nations in Group F will be fancying their chances of securing a spot in the last 32 of this summer's trans-Atlantic showpiece.
Whilst the Netherlands are the rightful favourites to seal progression to the knockout stages, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia will all believe they possess the ability to advance too.
We take a look at all things Group F as all four nations gear-up for their latest taste of World Cup football.
Teams
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Sweden
- Tunisia
Fixtures
Date | Fixture | Kick-off (BST) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
14th June | Netherlands v Japan | 21:00 | Dallas Stadium |
15th June | Sweden v Tunisa | 03:00 | Estadio Monterrey |
20th June | Netherlands v Sweden | 18:00 | Houston Stadium |
21st June | Tunisia v Japan | 05:00 | Estadio Monterrey |
26th June | Tunisia v Netherlands | 00:00 | Kansas City Stadium |
26th June | Japan v Sweden | 00:00 | Dallas Stadium |
Netherlands
The Netherlands will be hoping to make history this summer by capturing the coveted World Cup for the first time.
A number of great Dutch sides have come agonisingly close in the past, but despite reaching three finals, they have never managed to get themselves over the winning line.
Ronald Koeman's star-studded squad boast legitimate title-winning credentials this time around though and it will be interesting to see how they fare.
Manager
Ronald Koeman
Dutch icon Ronald Koeman led his side to the semi-finals of the 2024 European Championships, seeing off the likes of Romania and Turkey before being beaten by England in the last four.
Koeman, who made 78 appearances for the national side throughout his distinguished playing career, boasts a 56 percent win ratio during his second spell in the Netherlands managerial hotseat, winning 23 of his 41 fixtures to date.
Key Player
Virgil Van Dijk
One of the greatest defenders of his generation, Virgil van Dijk will be desperate to bow out from the World Cup stage in emphatic fashion.
This year's competition will represent the Liverpool skipper's likely final chance at holding aloft the fabled trophy and his form, you'd expect, will be paramount to the Dutch side's chances of ending their long-wait for global domination.
Breakout player
Jorrel Hato
Despite being just 20 years of age, Jorrel Hato has already amassed a wealth of experience at the highest level.
The supremely-talented defender has already surpassed 150 senior career appearances for both Ajax and Chelsea, whilst he's tasted action on the international stage a further eight times leading into this year's World Cup.
It remains to be seen as to whether he will be thrust into the pressures and rigours of World Cup football from the offset, but if he does get his chance, then don't be surprised to see him snatch it with both hands.
Odds
Japan
For the first time, Japan head to the United States, Canada and Mexico with serious ambitions of enjoying their first real deep run on the World Cup stage.
The nation have progressed through the group stages on four previous occasions, but have surprisingly yet to win a game in the knockout rounds.
This could very well be the year to change that though, with the Asian qualifiers, who are ranked 18th in the world, having gone on record in announcing their quarter-final target.
Manager
Hajime Moriyasu
Former Sanfrecce Hiroshima defensive midfielder Hajime Moriyasu is looking forward to his second World Cup in charge of his country, and has been tasked with ending the nation's long wait for a knockout round victory.
Prioritising evolution over revolution, the 57-year-old has taken his time implementing his methods whilst exposing the latest batch of young Japanese talent into the senior national team fold.
Moriyasu is vastly experienced in the game and has already overseen 104 matches on the international stage, impressively winning 73 of them.
Key player
Takefusa Kubo
Labelled as the 'Japanese Messi' after bursting onto the scene as a teenager, Takefusa Kubo has developed into one of the most decorated players on the Asian stage.
The former Real Madrid man has since found his home at fellow La Liga side Real Sociedad, for whom the technically gifted star has made 164 appearances for.
Renowned for his vision and ability to create opportunities for his fellow attackers, the right winger isn't afraid to pull the trigger himself, as proven when he scored a cracker to seal Japan's spot at this year's finals.
Breakout player
Zion Suzuki
Tall and imposing, Zion Suzuki looks to be the face of Japaense goalkeeping for the next decade or more.
Currently plying his trade in Italy at Genoa, the 23-year-old American-born stopper has cemented himself as his country's number one over the past 18 months or so.
Despite enduring difficulties on the international stage in the earlier parts of his career, Suzuki has since developed into one of the most highly-regarded young keepers in the game, and could catch the attention of numerous European heavyweights if he is able to fulfil his vast promise in the coming weeks.
Odds
Sweden
Sweden made history in World Cup qualification after becoming the first nation not to win a match in the group stages, yet still advance through to the main tournament.
Despite enduring a catastrophic campaign, the Swedes were allocated a play-off berth by virtue of their performances in the UEFA Nations League, and it's fair to say they made the most of the second opportunity afforded to them.
Victories over Ukraine and Poland means they are heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico, and there's every chance that Graham Potter's men will make a mockery of the struggles that have haunted them for the best part of the last 12 months.
Manager
Graham Potter
The former Chelsea and Swansea City boss was tasked with rejuvenating a Swedish side devoid of hope and confidence following a disastrous run of form under former head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.
And it's undoubtedly been a case of so far, so good.
The Englishman masterminded a couple of vital play-off victories to secure the Scandinavian side of a spot in this year's 48 team showpiece, but there will be a few concerns for the Solihull man leading into the tournament after his side were heavily beaten by Norway in their penultimate warm-up encounter before being held to a 2-2 draw by Greece.
Key player
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres is undoubtedly Sweden's most potent goalscoring threat even if Graham Potter's squad also possesses the Premier League's most expensive signing in Alexander Isak.
Injuries and a lack of form curtailed Isak's first season at Liverpool somewhat, and whilst Gyokeres himself struggled to find his feet during the early parts of his maiden season with Arsenal, he ended the campaign with a real bang.
The former Coventry City star played a key role in the Gunners' title triumph whilst he played an even more pivotal role in ensuring Sweden reached the World Cup finals, scoring four times across the two play-off success against Ukraine and Poland.
Breakout player
Benjamin Nygren
Benjamin Nygren only made his senior Sweden bow just over a year ago, but he's already cemented himself as a key performer under Graham Potter.
The 24-year-old netted a career-high 21 goals in all competition for Celtic last term and has already been linked with a potential move to the Premier League this summer.
His stock is already high, but it could be elevated yet further still should he come to the fore and build upon his impressive 14 appearances for Sweden to date at the World Cup.
Odds
Tunisia
If any team World Cup underdog is heading into the competition with wind behind their sails, it's Tunisia.
The African side stormed to qualification, winning nine of their ten matches without conceding a single goal.
Yet still, despite that, they still managed to get through three managers during the qualification process, with former Nottingham Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi the most recent to take hold of the reins.
The Eagles of Carthage have never previously advanced beyond the group stages, but given the expanded format of this year's event, together with a relatively open group, there certainly appears to be a realistic chance of finally breaking that mould.
Manager
Sabri Lamouchi
Like many top players of a Tunisian persuasion, Sabri Lamouchi heralds from France, where he rose to prominence as a top-level operator for Monaco and Auxerre.
Since transferring his talents into football management, he's led the Côte d’Ivoire to the 2014 World Cup and is now preparing for his second crack at the biggest tournament of them all with Tunisia.
Key player
Ismael Gharbi
A product of the fabled Paris Saint-Germain academy, Ismael Gharbi heads to the United States as one of his country's most promising talents.
Born in Paris to a Tunisian father and Spanish mother, Gharbi idolised Cristiano Ronaldo as a youngster, often copying everything the Portuguese great did, from his hairstyle to attempting to emulate his style of play.
While he may have some way to go in terms of following in his footsteps, Gharbi is a supreme talent in his own right, and in his favoured attacking midfield role will play a significant part in Tunisia's World Cup journey.
Breakout player
Rayan Elloumi
Born in Alberta, Canada, Rayan Elloumi represented the nation at youth level before switching his allegiances to Tunisia earlier this year.
A tall, powerful and athletic forward, the 18-year-old has come through the ranks of the Vancouver Whitecaps and netted twice in his first eight senior appearances for the MLS club last year.
He's continued to develop at a rapid rate since then and his inclusion in Sabri Lamouchi's squad at such a young age highlights the trust and belief he has in his abilities.
Lamouchi hasn't been afraid to blood youngsters in the past, and whilst he may have to bide his time for a regular starting berth on the international stage, don't write Elloumi off from making a telling contribution from the bench and alerting plenty of clubs around the world of his undoubted talents.
Odds
- World Cup Group A Preview: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
- World Cup Group B Preview: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
- World Cup Group C Preview: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
- World Cup Group D Preview: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
- World Cup Group E Preview: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
- World Cup Group G Preview: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
- World Cup Group H Preview: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
- World Cup Group I Preview: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
- World Cup Group J Preview: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
- World Cup Group K Preview: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
- World Cup Group L Preview: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Odds displayed in the above article were correct at time of writing and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time.
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