World Cup 2026 Preview Group F: Big Orange Takes Center Stage
World Cup Group F will feature the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, and Sweden. The Netherlands is not as good as they historically been. The Flying Dutchmen, or Clockwork Orange might struggle this time around. These are some tough teams in the group, and the Netherlands might not get a good elimination round draw.
There has been a so-called “group of death” at each World Cup. This may be it. The Netherlands is ranked 7th according to FIFA. Japan is ranked number 18. Sweden is ranked number 38. Tunisia is ranked 44. It might be Group I that is the Group of Death. Which group do you think is the most difficult group?
World Cup Group F Preview
Group F in the 2026 World Cup is very competitive. It is such a competitive group that the historically strong team from the Netherlands may struggle a little.
The Netherlands is, obviously, in this group. They are snakebit. No country has appeared in the World Cup finals without winning the championship. This would be their fourth try. However, they will probably not get that far. This team is sound, and expect they will dominate possession against weak teams. This team lacks the star power of previous Netherlands soccer clubs.
That is not to say the Netherlands is not without good players. Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong are stars. As is Memphis Depay, who had the most goals, 8, in the qualifying round. He has 55 goals for the team, the most ever, and is clearly not slowing down.
Japan is also in this group. The team is nicknamed the Samurai Blue. The team is known as a high-energy pressing team. They play an entertaining style. The team will be hampered because both Takumi Minamino and Wataru Endo, who play in the Champions League, will miss the tournament with injuries.
With that said, the best remaining player for Japan is Takefusa Kubo. He is affectionately known as the Japanese Messi. He has great technical ability and speed. He scored four goals and had eight assists in qualifying. He plays for Real Sociedad.
A potential breakout star for the Japanese is goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The 23-year-old player who plays in Italy for Parma. Although he was born in Newark. He has been linked to AC Milan and could pile up some clean sheets in this tournament, which could vault him into worldwide prominence.
The third team in this group will be Sweden. The Swedish side has some new tactics. They switched after they did not win a simple game in qualifying. Then they topped their third group of the UEFA Nations League. The victories over Poland and Sweden sent them to the tournament.
Look for star Viktor Gyokeres. He was worth an $87 transfer to Arsenal, but he has struggled to score for the national side. He scored four goals for the national team in March. He is a skilled handful for defenders. As a breakout star, look for Yasin Ayari, a 22-year-old midfielder, who is already a star in England. He is a brilliant player possessing and distributes the ball. He is a difference maker.
Group F Forecasting
The run for the Netherlands is likely to end in the round of 16. However, that should be the furthest this group will go in the tournament. The Swedes and Japan should make it to the round of 32. Tunisia will probably get eliminated in the group stage.
Conclusion
This is a difficult group. One in which a perennial favorite who has never won a championship could end up with an unfavorable draw that hurts them in the elimination round. In this deep group, the Swedes and Japan are likely to make it to the round of 32. Tunisia will probably get eliminated in group play.
