Group F predictions: FIFA World Cup 2026
As we build up to FIFA World Cup 2026, Group F comes under the spotlight as we assess the prospects of the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
Fixtures
Matchday 1
Netherlands vs Japan
Sweden vs Tunisia
Matchday 2
Netherlands vs Sweden
Tunisia vs Japan
Matchday 3
Japan vs Sweden
Tunisia vs Netherlands
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An intriguing Group F sees three-time FIFA World Cup runners up the Netherlands up against an impressive looking Japanese side, as well as a star-studded Swedish attack and the always solid Tunisians.
Ronald Koeman has a strong Oranje squad at his disposal, particularly in defence with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Jurrien Timber and Micky van de Ven. Their midfield is also a bit more stacked, too, than previous iterations with a well-balanced trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders.
They did however, despite those riches of control and defence, play a more front foot and generally fun style in order to reach the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 and that should mean quite a fun group here for when they come up against Japan and Sweden in particular.
Japan are without Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma but Hajime Moriyasu’s side still have a fair bit of depth and play a very nice style of football that saw them romp through AFC qualification, as well as beating both Germany and Spain in order to top their group at FIFA World Cup 2022.
Sweden entered the tournament through the UEFA playoffs with Graham Potter opting for a counter-attacking style that got the best out of their explosive forward-line, which was headed up by Viktor Gyokeres and will also include Alexander Isak this summer.
Tunisia have made some drastic changes since their underwhelming CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign earlier this year with former Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi culling quite a lot of the experienced heads but still having a relatively recognisable squad.
The Tunisians remain major outsiders here, though, and their presence gives an opportunity for all three of the other teams to squeeze themselves into the knockout stages.
We are, though, going for a surprise, at least in terms of seedings, at the top of the group with the excellent Samurai Blue to beat off the Dutch, especially given their performances in the spring against Scotland and England a few months ago suggesting that their level has remained high after 2022 and then their subsequent qualification.
Predicted group placements
1st: Japan
2nd: Netherlands
3rd: Sweden
4th: Tunisia
