Group F — Group Standings
Match schedule, current standings and our prediction for Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Standings
| # | 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 |
Match Schedule
Netherlands
vs
Japan
Tunisia
vs
Sweden
Tunisia
vs
Japan
Netherlands
vs
Sweden
Tunisia
vs
Netherlands
Japan
vs
Sweden
Our Prediction
Race for 1st place
Despite Japan's qualifying campaign suggesting they could push for first, the Netherlands are the firmest favourite to top Group F. Ronald Koeman's squad — Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo and the rising Xavi Simons — has the deepest top-five-league representation of any team in this group and arrives in form. The decider is Netherlands vs. Japan on matchday 2: a Dutch win locks down first; a Japan win or draw leaves the group very tight heading into the final round.
Race for 2nd place
Japan are clear favourites for second place, even if they fall short of first. Hajime Moriyasu's team — built around Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo and Daichi Kamada — has the best technical level Japan has ever brought to a World Cup, and they will comfortably outclass Tunisia and Sweden. Even a defeat to the Dutch leaves Japan on 6 points — almost certainly enough for second.
Third-place playoff slot
Sweden are the favourites for the third-place playoff slot, ahead of Tunisia. Graham Potter's side returns to the World Cup after missing 2022, and the strike pairing of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres is genuinely elite. The path is narrow: take points off Tunisia on matchday 1, hold the Dutch or Japan to a draw, and hope the third-place tiebreakers favour them. Four points should make it.
Bottom of the group
Tunisia are the most likely group bottom. Sabri Lamouchi's veteran-heavy squad lacks the firepower to genuinely threaten Japan or the Netherlands, and they will be heavy underdogs against Sweden as well. A single point from the Sweden game on matchday 1 is the realistic ceiling — probably not enough to escape last place.