This is an intriguing group. The Netherlands arrive as the favourite to win the group and are three-time runners-up in the tournament. Japan is currently Asia’s top-ranked team and has been consistently improving. Sweden made it in via a combination of the Nations League and the playoffs and has major firepower up front. And then there’s Tunisia, aiming to make the knockout stages for the first time in seven attempts. 

Group F odds at FIFA World Cup 2026 

To win Group F

Netherlands-138
Japan+200
Sweden+400
Tunisia+900

To advance from Group F

Netherlands-1100
Japan-400
Sweden-200
Tunisia+137

To win the 2026 World Cup

Netherlands+2000
Japan+5000
Sweden+15000
Tunisia+50000

*odds are subject to change

The Netherlands are the clear favourite to win Group F, with the oddsmakers predicting a battle between Japan and Sweden for second. For those interested in sports betting, that could be the place to find value. Tunisia are the clear underdogs of the four teams.

The Netherlands are also seen as a side that have what it takes to win the World Cup, opening with the eighth best odds. Japan are 12th and Sweden 23rd. 

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F teams

Group F includes a mixture of teams that range in quality. The Netherlands is the strongest nation and ahead of the other three teams. However, Japan and Sweden are evenly matched in many respects. Tunisia is the weakest team on paper, and if the team takes points off anyone, it will produce uncertainty for all involved.

Netherlands

FIFA Ranking: 8 | Manager: Ronald Koeman | Qualified: UEFA Group G winners

The Netherlands topped their UEFA qualifying group and conceded just four goals in the process. Ronald Koeman returned as manager and guided the team to the Euro 2024 semis, which provides important experience for the team in this tournament. Virgil van Dijk will captain the side, with Liverpool teammate Ryan Gravenberch playing in front of him in midfield. Cody Gakpo, another Liverpool player, will be key in attack. 

Japan

FIFA Ranking: 18 | Manager: Hajime Moriyasu | Qualified: AFC third round Group C winners

Japan was actually the first nation to secure qualification to the 2026 World Cup, topping its AFC group. This tournament will be the second World Cup Moriyasu has managed, following Qatar 2022, where Japan defeated both Germany and Spain. However, Moriyasu has been dealt a major blow as Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma has been ruled out with injury. All hope isn’t lost, as the likes of Takefusa Kubo, Kaishu Sano and Ritsu Doan bring quality. 

Sweden

FIFA Ranking: 38 | Manager: Graham Potter | Qualified: UEFA Path B winners

Sweden making the World Cup is one of the tournament’s great stories. After finishing bottom of its qualifying group without recording a single win, their Nations League placing gave the team a shot at the playoffs and they duly took it. It will be Sweden’s first World Cup since 2018, and they will be hoping firepower from Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak will lead them. 

Tunisia

FIFA Ranking: 46 | Manager: Sabri Lamouchi | Qualified: CAF Group H winners

Tunisia recorded a near-perfect record in qualifying to secure their third consecutive World Cup finals. Sabri Lamouchi, a highly experienced manager, arrived in January following an early exit at AFCON, and will lead the team at the tournament. Hannibal Mejbri, of Burnley in the English Championship, is Tunisia’s most dynamic player. But it’s captain Ellyes Skhiri of Eintracht Frankfurt that remains the most integral. 

Players to watch in Group F

  • Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden) – The striker left Sporting CP for Arsenal last summer and has helped send them to the Premier League title following a slow start. On the international stage, alongside Alexander Isak, the 27-year-old is key for Sweden, not just for his goals, but also for his work rate.
  • Alexander Isak (Sweden) – The 26-year-old is the other part of Sweden’s attack. He’s one of the most gifted number nines around. While there will be questions around his fitness after struggling with injury for much of the season, if he can get anywhere close to his best, Sweden will be a force to be reckoned with.
  • Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands) – A central midfielder for Liverpool, the 24-year-old is establishing himself as one of his country’s stars. He will link defence to attack as he does at club level.
  • Takefusa Kubo (Japan) – Japan not having Kaoru Mitoma to call on is a huge blow, but Takefusa Kubo will be ready to step up and be the source of invention. The 24-year-old forward who plays for Real Sociedad has technical ability and a directness to his game that makes him a consistent threat.
  • Ellyes Skhiri (Tunisia) – Skhiri, 31, is undoubtedly one of Tunisia’s key players. The defensive midfielder, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, does the work others don’t want to do, such as screening the defence. He’s also adept at dictating the tempo, a skill that will be needed for Tunisia to compete with stronger sides.

Young talents in Group F

  • Lucas Bergvall, Sweden The Tottenham midfielder could emerge as a key player for Graham Potter.
  • Zion Suzuki, Japan The 23-year-old goalkeeper will be integral. He’s recently been linked with a move to the Premier League, so he will be keen to impress on the big stage.
  • Khalil Ayari, Tunisia The 21-year-old winger is currently on PSG’s books. He may be young, but he’s very direct and capable of pulling off the unexpected.

Group F qualification scenarios: Who goes through?

The Netherlands are the clear favourite to win Group F, and should be able to get that over the line quite quickly. The defining battle will be between Japan and Sweden for second place. 

Japan are a consistent performer and very disciplined. However, you can’t ignore the firepower Sweden has. The June 25 match between those two will likely decide who finishes second. Tunisia will be out to pick up points where possible, but are in tough.

Potential Round of 32 matchups for Group F

The Group F winner will take on the runner-up in Group C. The team that finishes second in Group F will face the winner of Group C. If the third-placed team advances, it will face the winner of Group A, B, D, E, or I in the Round of 32 knockout stage.

Group F schedule and games for FIFA World Cup 2026

Group F games will span June 14-25 in Mexico and the United States. All the final round matches will kick off at the same time.

Group F Round 1 matches

June 14 – Netherlands vs. Japan | Dallas

The No. 8 and 18 sides in the FIFA rankings mean this could be the match of the group. The Netherlands are +100 to win, Japan are +260, and the draw is +260. 

June 14 – Sweden vs. Tunisia | Guadalajara

While Tunisia will be resolute, especially at the back, when a side has the likes of Gyokeres and Isak leading the line, there should only be one outcome. Sweden are -112 to win, the draw is +240, and Tunisia is +325 to secure three points.

Group F Round 2 matches

June 20 – Netherlands vs. Sweden | Houston

Sweden’s firepower will test the Netherlands backline, with Virgil van Dijk tasked with preventing his Liverpool teammate, Isak, from scoring. The Dutch start as the favourite at -160, Sweden to win is +400, and the draw is +300.

June 20 – Tunisia vs. Japan | Dallas

Japan will come into this match as the firm favourites, regardless of previous results. They are -132 to win, with a shock Tunisia victory at +400. The draw is +250.

Group F Round 3 matches

June 25 – Sweden vs. Japan | Dallas

June 25 – Tunisia vs. Netherlands | Houston

The Sweden-Japan match will decide who goes through and who finishes third. And, third place could be enough, depending on previous results.

Past 5 matches for Group F teams

Netherlands: Lost 1-0 to Algeria, drew 1-1 with Ecuador and defeated Norway 2-1 (all friendlies). Beat Lithuania 4-0 and drew with Poland 1-1 (World Cup qualifying). 

Japan: Defeated Iceland, England and Scotland 1-0, and topped Bolivia 3-0 and Ghana 2-0 (all friendlies).

Sweden: Tied Greece 2-2, lost to Norway 3-1 (friendlies). Defeated Poland 3-2 and Ukraine 3-1, and drew 1-1 with Slovenia (World Cup qualifying). 

Tunisia: Drew 0-0 with Canada and defeated Haiti 1-0 (Friendlies). Lost on penalties to Mali, drew 1-1 with Tanzania and lost 3-2 to Nigeria (AFCON).

Group F head-to-head history

Netherlands vs. Japan: Met on three occasions with two wins for the Dutch. The most recent match in 2013 ended 2-2.

Netherlands vs. Sweden: Their history goes all the way back to 1908 and includes 20 matches, with the Netherlands winning nine and the two drawing four times. The last time they played was in 2017, with the Dutch winning 2-0.

Netherlands vs. Tunisia: The teams have met three times, resulting in a win for the Netherlands and two draws. Their last meeting was in 2009, a 1-1 draw.

Japan vs. Sweden: Six previous matches have ended in two draws and four Swedish victories. The last match was a 1-1 draw in 2002.

Japan vs. Tunisia: The sides have met on six occasions, ending in five wins for Japan and one for Tunisia. The last was in the 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup, a 2-0 Japan victory.

Sweden vs. Tunisia: Four meetings have ended in two wins for Sweden, a draw and 1-0 Tunisia win in a 2003 friendly.

Group F thrillers: Matches we’ll never forget

Japan vs. Germany, 2022 World Cup One of the biggest upsets in the modern era. After being down 1-0, Japan rallied to beat Germany 2-1 on goals from Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano.

Tunisia vs. France, 2022 World Cup Tunisia needed to beat France to stand a chance of progressing. It did just that, winning 1-0 thanks to a Wahbi Khazri goal. However, Australia also won, which sent Tunisia home.

Qualification analysis: The “Best 3rd Place” factor

The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup means that the eight best third-place teams will also advance to the Round of 32, alongside the teams that finish first and second in their groups. Japan and Sweden will be eyeing second place, but third could do depending on results.

Statistics via FBRef.com, ESPN.com and 11v11.com.

FAQs about World Cup Group F

1 Which teams are in Group F?

The Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.

2 Which team is the favourite to win Group F?

The Netherlands are the current favourite to win Group F.

3 Who are the players to watch in Group F?

The players to watch in Group F are Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands), Alexander Isak (Sweden), Takefusa Kubo (Japan) and Ellyes Skhiri (Tunisia).

4 When will Group F matches begin?

Group F matches will begin on June 14 at 4:00 p.m. ET with the Netherlands and Japan.

5 Where will Group F play?

Dallas, Houston and Guadalajara.

6 How many teams advance from Group F?

The teams that finish first and second in Group F will automatically advance. A third-place finish is also a possible route into the next round.

7 Who is the highest FIFA-ranked team in Group F?

The highest FIFA-ranked team in Group F are the Netherlands, who are ranked 8th.

8 What are the Top 3 bets to use on Group F?

The Netherlands has an outside chance of winning the World Cup at good odds. Alexander Isak to be top scorer offers value if he’s fit. Japan to make the later rounds could happen.

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