Which teams are in Group F at the World Cup 2026?

Group F contains Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia. Each team plays the other three once during the group stage.

How does Group F qualification work?

The top two finishers in Group F qualify automatically for the round of 32. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance.

When are the Group F matches played?

All 6 Group F fixtures are listed below with date, kickoff time and host stadium across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

What are the points rules for Group F?

Standard FIFA scoring applies: 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. Tiebreakers: points, goal difference, goals scored, then head-to-head.

All teams & groups

FIFA World Cup 2026

Group F

Japan and the Netherlands lead a tactically rich group

Group F is the most tactically interesting balanced group of the tournament. The Netherlands carry European pedigree, Japan continue their generational rise, Sweden return after missing 2022, and Tunisia bring African defensive discipline.

Who advances

Netherlands and Japan are the consensus picks. Sweden have the firepower to challenge; Tunisia are the outsider.

Tactical clash

Netherlands' 3-5-2 under Ronald Koeman against Japan's progressive 4-3-3 is the central tactical duel. Sweden are direct and physical; Tunisia compact and counter-driven.

Market view

Netherlands top-the-group prices around 1.95; Japan around 2.50. Sweden are 3.50 to advance.

Team-by-team Group F breakdown

Netherlands

Storyline. Always the team that wins their group at major tournaments — quarter-finalists at Qatar 2022 and Euro 2024 semi-finalists. Generation built around Virgil van Dijk and the Liverpool spine.

Key player. Cody Gakpo — the Liverpool forward has become the goal-scoring leader of the national team.

Prediction. Group winner is the median; semi-final the ceiling.

Japan

Storyline. Tournament-after-tournament progressive evolution. Qatar 2022 saw famous wins over Germany and Spain. Coach Hajime Moriyasu has the deepest European-based squad in Asian football history.

Key player. Takefusa Kubo — the Real Sociedad winger has matured into the creative leader of the side.

Prediction. Second place is the median; a Round-of-16 win would equal Japan's best ever men's World Cup result.

Sweden

Storyline. Back after missing 2022 with a new generation around Alexander Isak and Anthony Elanga. The first major tournament without Ibrahimović or Forsberg as the central figure.

Key player. Alexander Isak — the Newcastle striker is one of the most complete centre-forwards in the Premier League.

Prediction. Third place is the median; a best-third path is in play.

Tunisia

Storyline. Sixth World Cup appearance for the Eagles of Carthage. Heavy reliance on European-born and Ligue 1-based players in a 4-2-3-1 designed to frustrate.

Key player. Hannibal Mejbri — the Manchester United-developed midfielder is the tactical hinge of the system.

Prediction. Bottom of the group is the median expectation — a point against Sweden is the realistic ceiling.

Group F standings & points table

Live World Cup 2026 Group F table — wins, draws, losses, goals for and against, goal difference and points. Updated by the Cup26 editorial team after every match. FIFA scoring: 3 pts for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.