World Cup Group F: Teams, Schedule, Outlook & Odds for 2026

Charlie Zschau Published: May 21 2026 22:02

Preview of Group F in the 2026 World Cup, featuring the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.

The Netherlands headline the group as favorites, but Japan have a strong International record leading up to the tournament.

Sweden is the most experienced team in the group with 13 World Cup appearances. Tunisia have the fewest appearances in the tournament but have still qualified for a seventh time.

The most exciting players from Group F are the Netherlands' Tijani Reijnders, Sweden's Alexander Isak, and Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Group F Teams

Nation	World Ranking	World Cup Appearance
Netherlands	7	12
Japan	18	8
Sweden	38	13
Tunisia	44	7

Netherlands

While a major international trophy has remained just out of reach in recent years, the Netherlands national team consistently re-emerge as contenders on the biggest stages.

The Netherlands made it to the quarter-finals in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing to the eventual champions Argentina. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, but Argentina ultimately won 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk will lead his nation to the World Cup, with his teammate Ryan Gravenberch and Reijnders holding down the midfield. Attacking midfielder Xavi Simons will miss the tournament due to an ACL injury.

Japan

The Japanese national team have won their last five international matches in the run-up to the tournament, including victories over Brazil and England, and four straight clean sheets.

23-year-old Suzuki has been excellent in the Japanese goal with a veteran back-three in front of him. Kaoru Mitoma and Takefuso Kubo are Japan's biggest threat going forward.

Japan has qualified eight straight World Cup tournaments in a row dating back to 1998, and have established themselves as one of the premier nations in the Asian football Confederation (AFC).

Sweden

Sweden have qualified for their 13th World Cup in 2026. The nations best finish was runner-up at the 1958 tournament when Sweden played host. They have also finished third twice (1950, 1994).

Sweden's biggest threat comes in the form of Premier League forwards Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. Both players have the ability to score goals in bunches, and could help lift their squad to the latter stages of the knockout rounds.

Tunisia

Tunisia went undefeated in their CAF World Cup qualifying group, and were one of two teams to not concede a single goal in the 10 qualifying matches (Ivory Coast was the other). They finished with a 9-1-0 record in qualifying, but have only won one of their last five matches leading up to the World Cup.

Tunisia's team is led by young midfielders Ismael Gharbi, Hannibal Mejbri, and veteran Ellyes Skhiri.

The North African nation have the makings of a team who will get overlooked by the competition, but could very easily play spoiler for a team in Group F.

Group F Match Schedule

Date
June 14	Netherlands	vs.	Japan
June 14	Sweden	vs.	Tunisia
June 20	Netherlands	vs.	Sweden
June 20	Tunisia	vs.	Japan
June 25	Japan	vs.	Sweden
June 25	Tunisia	vs.	Netherlands