2026 FIFA World Cup Group F: Schedule, Standings & Prediction
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F brings together three-time finalist Netherlands, giant-killers Japan, comeback story Sweden, and defensively resolute Tunisia. These four teams play across four cities from June 14 to June 25. Netherlands start as the group favorites. Japan arrive in top form after beating Scotland and England in March.
Sweden qualified without winning a single group-stage match and bring Viktor Gyökeres in the form of his life. The top two teams advance automatically to the Round of 32. The third-place team can also advance as one of the eight best third-place finishers across all 12 groups.
Group F also carries a historic footnote. The Tunisia vs Japan match on June 20 in Monterrey is confirmed by FIFA as the 1,000th match in World Cup history. Netherlands vs Japan on June 14 in Dallas is the headline opener. A Japanese win there would immediately flip the group and put the Dutch under pressure they have not handled well in recent tournaments.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group F Teams
| Team | Confederation | FIFA Rank (Apr 2026) | WC Appearances | Pot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | UEFA | #10 | 12th | 1 |
| Japan | AFC | #18 | 8th | 2 |
| Sweden | UEFA | #24 | 12th | 3 |
| Tunisia | CAF | #40 | 7th | 4 |
Group F Match Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern Time (ET). FOX and FS1 broadcast in English. Telemundo and Universo cover Spanish broadcasts. All matches stream on Peacock.
Matchday 1 (Sunday, June 14)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs Japan | 4:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX |
| Sweden vs Tunisia | 10:00 PM | Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico |
Matchday 2 (Saturday, June 20)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs Sweden | 1:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Tunisia vs Japan | 12:00 AM | Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico |
Matchday 3 (Thursday, June 25)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Japan vs Sweden | 7:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX |
| Tunisia vs Netherlands | 7:00 PM | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Netherlands vs Japan on June 14 is the group’s defining match. The Tunisia vs Japan game on June 20 in Monterrey is the 1,000th match in World Cup history. Both Matchday 3 games kick off simultaneously at 7:00 PM ET on June 25, keeping the qualification race open until the final whistle.
Group F Standings
Standings update after June 14, 2026.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Japan | 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 |
- Top 2 teams advance automatically to the Round of 32
- Best 8 third-place teams across all 12 groups also advance
- 4 points almost guarantees third-place advancement; 3 points can work with a strong goal difference
Tiebreaker order: Goal difference > Goals scored > Head-to-head points > Head-to-head goal difference > Head-to-head goals scored > Fair play score > FIFA ranking
Venue Guide: Where Group F Matches are Played
| Match | Stadium | City | Capacity | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs Japan | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX | 80,000 | Group F opener. Hosts two Group F matches |
| Sweden vs Tunisia | Estadio BBVA | Guadalupe, Mexico | 53,500 | Hosts two Group F matches in Mexico |
| Netherlands vs Sweden | NRG Stadium | Houston | 72,220 | Netherlands European rival clash |
| Tunisia vs Japan | Estadio BBVA | Guadalupe, Mexico | 53,500 | 1,000th match in World Cup history |
| Japan vs Sweden | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX | 80,000 | Same venue as MD1 Japan match |
| Tunisia vs Netherlands | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | 76,416 | Final Group F match for Netherlands |
AT&T Stadium in Arlington is the largest venue in Group F at 80,000 capacity and hosts two group matches including the Netherlands vs Japan opener.
How to Watch Group F Matches
| Country | TV Channels | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FOX, FS1, Telemundo, Universo | Peacock, FOX Sports App |
| UK | ITV, BBC | ITVX, BBC iPlayer |
| Canada | CTV, TSN, RDS | TSN+, CTV GO |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| Mexico | Televisa, TV Azteca, TUDN | ViX |
| Netherlands | NOS | Free to air, full tournament |
| Japan | NHK, Fuji TV | NHK+, TVer |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 | SVT Play, TV4 Play |
| Tunisia | Wataniya TV, Al Kass | Wataniya TV app |
| France | M6, beIN Sports | 54 matches on M6 free |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF | ARD and ZDF free to air |
| Spain | RTVE, DAZN | RTVE free, DAZN all 104 |
Fans in other countries can check the full global broadcaster list at 2026 FIFA World Cup TV channels and broadcasting rights.
Group F Team Analysis and Preview
Netherlands
Manager: Ronald Koeman
Ronald Koeman won UEFA qualifying Group G unbeaten with six wins and two draws. Netherlands reached the Euro 2024 semi-finals and lost to Argentina on penalties in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. Beat Norway 2-1 on March 27 in Amsterdam and drew 1-1 with Ecuador on March 31 in Eindhoven. Next warm-up: vs Algeria on June 3.
Key players: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, captain), Memphis Depay (Corinthians, all-time top scorer 55+ goals), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton, GK), Micky van de Ven (Spurs), Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool).
World Cup record: 12 appearances. Three finals (1974, 1978, 2010). Never won.
Last appearance: 2022 quarter-final exit on penalties to Argentina.
Japan
Manager: Hajime Moriyasu (since 2018)
Moriyasu is the first manager to lead Japan in back-to-back World Cup cycles. Japan were the first non-host nation to qualify for 2026, topping the AFC Third Round with 19 points from seven matches. In 2022 they beat Germany and Spain before losing to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.
Recent form: Beat Scotland 1-0 on March 28 at Hampden Park with Junya Ito’s 84th-minute goal. Beat England 1-0 on March 31 at Wembley with Kaoru Mitoma in the 23rd minute. The first time England had ever been beaten by an Asian side at home.
Key players: Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Wataru Endo (Liverpool, captain), Kaishu Sano, Ayase Ueda, Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Junya Ito, Zion Suzuki (GK).
World Cup record: 8 appearances (every tournament since 1998).
Best finish: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022). Never reached the quarter-finals.
Sweden
Manager: Graham Potter (appointed October 20, 2025)
Sweden finished bottom of UEFA qualifying Group B without a single win. They survived through the Nations League pathway. Graham Potter, hired in October 2025, took them to the play-offs and delivered. Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 in Valencia on March 26 with Viktor Gyökeres scoring a hat-trick, then beat Poland 3-2 in Solna on March 31 with Gyökeres scoring the winner in the 88th minute. They are the first nation ever to reach a World Cup via the Nations League pathway.
Key players: Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Dejan Kulusevski (Spurs), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United), Lucas Bergvall (Spurs).
World Cup record: 12 appearances. Best finish: runners-up (1958, as hosts).
Last appearance: 2018 quarter-finals. First World Cup since 2018.
Tunisia
Manager: Sabri Lamouchi (appointed January 2026)
Sami Trabelsi was sacked after Tunisia’s AFCON Round of 16 exit against Mali. Sabri Lamouchi, a French-Tunisian coach who previously managed Ivory Coast, Rennes, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City, was appointed in January 2026. Tunisia qualified through CAF without conceding a single goal. In March 2026 Lamouchi brought in Rani Khedira for his first call-up. His brother Sami won the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
Recent form: Beat Haiti 1-0 on March 28 in Toronto with Sebastian Tounekti scoring in the 7th minute. Drew Canada 0-0 on March 31 in Toronto.
Key players: Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Elyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Aymen Dahmen (GK), Yan Valery (Young Boys), Ali Abdi (Nice), Montassar Talbi (Lorient), Rani Khedira (Union Berlin), Khalil Ayari (PSG U21).
World Cup record: 7 appearances.
Best finish: Group stage every time. Beat France 1-0 in their final group match at the 2022 World Cup. Third consecutive World Cup appearance.
Head-to-Head Records
| Matchup | Record | Last Result | World Cup H2H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs Japan | Netherlands lead | 2-2 draw (2013 friendly) | Netherlands won 1-0 (2010 WC) |
| Netherlands vs Sweden | Netherlands dominant | Multiple meetings, NED edge | Drew 0-0 (1974 WC group stage) |
| Netherlands vs Tunisia | Limited meetings | Tunisia won 1-0 (2003 friendly) | 4 meetings, all friendlies |
| Japan vs Sweden | Sweden edge overall | Japan won 2-0 (2023 Kirin Cup) | Japan won 2-0 (2002 WC group stage) |
| Japan vs Tunisia | Japan dominant | Japan won 2-0 (2023 Kirin Cup) | June 20 will be the 1,000th WC match |
| Sweden vs Tunisia | Limited meetings | Few prior meetings | 0 WC meetings |
Japan beat Sweden 2-0 in the 2002 World Cup group stage. Netherlands beat Japan 1-0 in the 2010 World Cup group stage. The Tunisia vs Japan game on June 20 in Monterrey is the 1,000th match in World Cup history.
Why Group F is Interesting
- The Tunisia vs Japan match on June 20 in Monterrey is the 1,000th match in World Cup history, confirmed by FIFA
- Sweden qualified without winning a single group-stage match. They are the first nation ever to reach a World Cup via the Nations League pathway
- Japan beat England 1-0 at Wembley in March 2026, the first time England had ever lost to an Asian side at home
- Netherlands have reached three World Cup finals but never won the trophy. This squad is one of their strongest in years
- Viktor Gyökeres scored a hat-trick against Ukraine and the 88th-minute winner against Poland in the same March 2026 window, arriving at the World Cup in the form of his life
- Tunisia’s new manager Sabri Lamouchi named Rani Khedira for his first-ever Tunisia call-up. His brother Sami won the World Cup with Germany in 2014
- Japan are unbeaten in their last two matches against Sweden (2002 WC and 2023 Kirin Cup), making their June 25 clash one of the most unpredictable in the group
2026 World Cup Group F Predictions
- Matchday 1: Netherlands 2-1 Japan. Sweden 1-0 Tunisia.
- Matchday 2: Netherlands 2-0 Sweden. Japan 1-0 Tunisia.
- Matchday 3: Japan 1-1 Sweden. Tunisia 0-2 Netherlands.
Our Final Predicted Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 9 | Advance |
| 2 | Japan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Advance |
| 3 | Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 | Eliminated |
Netherlands win the group with nine points. Japan advance as runners-up on head-to-head record. Sweden finish third with four points but a negative goal difference, unlikely to advance as one of the best third-place teams.
- 4 points: almost guaranteed advance to Round of 32
- 3 points: possible with a strong goal difference
- 1-2 points: very unlikely to advance
Group F Road to the Round of 32
| Finish | Next Match | Date | Venue | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Round of 32 | June 29 | TBD | Group C runner-up |
| 2nd | Round of 32 | June 29 | TBD | Group C winner |
The Group F winner faces the Group C runner-up in the Round of 32. The Group F runner-up faces the Group C winner. Group C consists of Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group F FAQs
Who is in Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Group F consists of Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.
When does Group F start?
Group F opens on Sunday, June 14, 2026, with Netherlands vs Japan at 4:00 PM ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Sweden vs Tunisia at 10:00 PM ET at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Which match is the 1,000th in World Cup history?
FIFA confirmed Tunisia vs Japan on June 20 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico is the 1,000th match in World Cup history.
How did Sweden qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Sweden qualified via the UEFA play-offs after the Nations League pathway kept them in contention. They finished bottom of qualifying Group B without a win but beat Ukraine 3-1 and Poland 3-2 in the March 2026 play-offs under Graham Potter to secure their place.
Has Japan ever beaten England before?
Japan beat England 1-0 at Wembley on March 31, 2026, with Kaoru Mitoma scoring in the 23rd minute. It was the first time England had ever lost to an Asian side at home.
Has Netherlands ever won the World Cup?
No. Netherlands have reached three World Cup finals (1974, 1978, 2010) but lost all three. They remain one of the few nations to appear in multiple finals without winning.
Who is Tunisia’s manager for 2026?
Tunisia’s manager is Sabri Lamouchi, appointed in January 2026 after Sami Trabelsi left following an AFCON Round of 16 exit. Lamouchi previously managed Ivory Coast, Rennes, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.
Group F runs from June 14 to June 25, 2026, with Netherlands the clear favorites and Japan the most dangerous threat. Sweden’s fairytale qualifying run and Gyökeres in world-class form make them a genuine wildcard, while Tunisia’s defensive discipline could yet cause an upset.
Both Matchday 3 games kick off simultaneously at 7:00 PM ET on June 25, keeping every qualification place open to the final whistle.
