We take a closer look at Group F at the 2026 World Cup, featuring the fixture schedule, odds to win group, and our predictions.
Group FSee All Odds
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Group F looks one of the most competitive sections at the 2026 World Cup, with Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia all arriving with realistic ambitions of reaching the knockout stages.
The Dutch head the betting and boast an impressive World Cup pedigree despite never lifting the trophy, while Japan continue to establish themselves as one of Asia's leading football nations. Sweden arrive through the play-offs with one of Europe's most feared strikers, and Tunisia will look to turn their remarkable defensive record into a surprise qualification bid.
Here, we break down the Group F fixtures, schedule, odds, team profiles, predictions and best bets through Oddschecker.
World Cup Group F Fixtures & Schedule
Matchday 1
Sunday, June 14: Netherlands vs Japan, 9pm BST — Arlington
Monday, June 15: Sweden vs Tunisia, 3am BST — Guadalupe
Matchday 2
Saturday, June 20: Netherlands vs Sweden, 6pm BST — Houston
Sunday, June 21: Tunisia vs Japan, 5am BST — Guadalupe
Matchday 3
Friday, June 26: Tunisia vs Netherlands, 12am BST — Kansas City
Friday, June 26: Japan vs Sweden, 12am BST — Arlington
World Cup Group F Odds
- Netherlands - 5/6
- Japan - 11/4
- Sweden - 11/2
- Tunisia - 16/1
World Cup 2026 Group F - Team Profiles
Netherlands
FIFA Ranking: 7th
Manager: Ronald Koeman
Star Player: Virgil van Dijk
Odds to Win Group F: 5/6
Odds to Win the World Cup: 14/1
The Netherlands arrive in North America with arguably their strongest squad since reaching the semi-finals in 2014. Ronald Koeman has overseen a steady rebuild and the Dutch remain one of the most consistent performers on the international stage, having lost just one of their last 19 World Cup matches in normal time.
An unbeaten qualification campaign further underlined their credentials. The Oranje scored 27 goals while conceding only four, producing one of the strongest goal differences in European qualifying. Virgil van Dijk continues to marshal an experienced defence, while the creativity of Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay gives them plenty of attacking options.
The group is competitive enough to provide tests, particularly against Japan, but the Dutch should still be targeting top spot and a favourable knockout route.
Netherlands Stage of Elimination Odds
Group Stage: 9/1
Round of 32: 6/4
Round of 16: 17/4
Quarter-Finals: 9/2
Semi-Finals: 9/1
Runner-Up: 18/1
Winner: 20/1
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Japan
FIFA Ranking: 18th
Manager: Hajime Moriyasu
Star Player: Takefusa Kubo
Odds to Win Group F: 11/4
Odds to Win the World Cup: 50/1
Japan have become one of the most reliable teams at World Cups, reaching the knockout rounds in each of the last two tournaments and regularly troubling traditional powers on the biggest stage.
Their qualification campaign was hugely impressive. Japan scored 54 goals across AFC qualifying, the most of any nation in the confederation, while Takefusa Kubo, Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda all reached double figures for goal involvements. Although injuries have deprived them of some attacking depth, Moriyasu still possesses a technically gifted squad packed with players competing in Europe's top leagues.
The opening fixture against the Netherlands could be pivotal. Avoid defeat there and Japan will feel extremely confident about progressing from the group.
Japan Stage of Elimination Odds
Group Stage: 3/1
Round of 32: 5/4
Round of 16: 9/2
Quarter-Finals: 7/1
Semi-Finals: 16/1
Runner-Up: 40/1
Winner: 50/1
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Sweden
FIFA Ranking: 38th
Manager: Graham Potter
Star Player: Viktor Gyokeres
Odds to Win Group F: 11/2
Odds to Win the World Cup: 150/1
Sweden's route to the World Cup was anything but straightforward. They failed to win a match in their qualifying group but were handed a lifeline through the UEFA Nations League pathway before defeating Ukraine and Poland in the play-offs.
The arrival of Graham Potter has brought a tactical shift towards a back-three system and a more progressive style of football. Much will depend on Viktor Gyokeres, whose four play-off goals secured qualification and reinforced his status as one of Europe's most dangerous forwards.
Sweden possess enough quality to challenge for qualification, but the lack of sample size under Potter makes them one of the tournament's more difficult teams to assess.
Sweden Stage of Elimination Odds
Group Stage: 13/8
Round of 32: 11/8
Round of 16: 13/2
Quarter-Finals: 11/1
Semi-Finals: 28/1
Runner-Up: 70/1
Winner: 150/1
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Tunisia
FIFA Ranking: 44th
Manager: Sabri Lamouchi
Star Player: Ellyes Skhiri
Odds to Win Group F: 16/1
Odds to Win the World Cup: 750/1
Tunisia arrive as outsiders but should not be overlooked. They navigated qualification unbeaten, winning nine of their ten matches and remarkably failing to concede a single goal throughout the campaign.
Defensive organisation remains the foundation of their game and Sabri Lamouchi will know his side must rely on those qualities again against significantly stronger opposition. However, the jump in quality from qualifying to World Cup football is substantial and Tunisia's historical record at the tournament remains concerning, having never progressed beyond the group stage.
If they are to challenge for qualification, taking points from Sweden in the opening fixture looks essential.
Tunisia Stage of Elimination Odds
Group Stage: 8/13
Round of 32: 5/2
Round of 16: 12/1
Quarter-Finals: 33/1
Semi-Finals: 100/1
Runner-Up: 425/1
Winner: 750/1
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Who is Favourite to Win World Cup Group F?
The Netherlands are clear favourites to win Group F and are rated highly by both bookmakers and statistical models. Japan are viewed as the strongest challenger and have been knocking on the door of the quarter finals in recent years, while Sweden and Tunisia are expected to battle for third place and a possible best third-placed qualification spot.
World Cup Group F Match & Score Predictions
Matchday 1
Netherlands 2-1 Japan
Sweden 1-0 Tunisia
Matchday 2
Netherlands 2-0 Sweden
Japan 2-0 Tunisia
Matchday 3
Tunisia 0-2 Netherlands
Japan 1-1 Sweden
Predicted Group F Standings
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Sweden
- Tunisia
World Cup Group F Betting Tips
Japan Stage of Elimination - Round of 16 – 9/2 (1pt)
Japan's consistency at major tournaments should not be underestimated. They have reached the knockout stages at each of the last two World Cups and scored more goals than any nation during AFC qualifying. The Samurai Blue have enough quality to advance from Group F, but their likely knockout draw could leave them facing one of the tournament favourites in the Round of 16.
Group F Highest Scoring Group – 16/1 (1pt)
This group contains several sides that produced impressive attacking numbers in qualification. The Netherlands scored 27 goals in eight qualifying matches, Japan netted 54 during AFC qualification, and Sweden possess one of Europe's most prolific forwards in Viktor Gyokeres. If a couple of matches open up early, Group F has the firepower to challenge for the tournament's highest-scoring group.
