Group F is headed by the Netherlands and completed by two-time giant-killers Japan, a revitalised Sweden and North African regulars Tunisia. Ronald Koeman's Oranje open against Japan in Arlington, Sweden bring the firepower of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, and Tunisia chase a first World Cup knockout appearance. Japan, who beat Germany and Spain in 2022, are the most dangerous floating side in the draw. This is the full fixture list with venues and dates, the qualification picture, and a prediction for who reaches the new Round of 32.
A heavyweight European seed with a high ceiling, the great giant-killers of Asia, a Swedish side built on two world-class strikers and a battle-hardened North African outfit. Here is the Group F field.
The seeded favourites. Ronald Koeman's Oranje are balanced from back to front, marshalled by Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong with Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons in attack, and carry a genuine semi-final ceiling. Read our full Netherlands squad guide.
The Asian standard-bearers. Hajime Moriyasu's Europe-based side beat Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup and were among the first to qualify for 2026, with Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma the danger men. Read our Japan guide.
The new golden generation. Back at a World Cup for the first time since 2018 via the play-offs under Graham Potter, Sweden lean on the firepower of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. Read our Sweden guide.
The Eagles of Carthage. North African regulars who are organised and physical, with Ellyes Skhiri and Youssef Msakni among the leaders, still chasing a first World Cup knockout appearance. Read our Tunisia guide.
Six Group F matches across three matchdays, played in the central United States and northern Mexico. The Netherlands play in Arlington, Houston and Kansas City, with two games staged at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. The two final-round games kick off at the same time. Times below are US Eastern.
For the full picture of all 104 games and kickoff times in your own time zone, use the WorldCuply.com match schedule. The Netherlands' path is covered in detail in our Netherlands squad guide.
The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams in 12 groups of four. That changes how a group plays out:
A group with two strong favourites and two sides who can cause problems on their day. Here is how we see it:
The Netherlands and Japan are favourites for the top two, but Sweden's strikers make this group dangerous. Follow it live with the schedule and the Match-Day Notifier.
Group F is one of 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Koeman's Oranje, Virgil van Dijk and a balanced side with a real semi-final ceiling in Group F.
Read the Netherlands guide ›The Asian side that beat Germany and Spain in 2022, with Kubo and Mitoma leading the charge.
Read the Japan guide ›Germany, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador and debutants Curacao, with the full Group E fixtures and prediction.
Read the Group E guide ›All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team and time zone.
Open the schedule ›This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm the Group F teams, fixtures, venues and dates:
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