2026 World Cup Group F: Teams, Fixtures, Predictions & Odds

In arguably one of the toughest 2026 World Cup groups, the first round delivered two high-scoring games filled with entertainment. Group F has the potential to be one of the most interesting at the tournament.

Group F opened with a draw as Japan and Netherlands shared the spoils, before Sweden hammered Tunisia with one of the biggest wins of the tournament so far.

Football Whispers breaks down Group F in full, including fixtures, latest odds and predictions.

World Cup 2026 Group F winner odds

• Netherlands – 11/10
• Japan – 23/10
• Sweden – 23/10
• Tunisia- 33/1

After the first round of fixtures, the Netherlands still remain the odds-on favourites to win Group F. Considering some of the names in their squad, such as Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong, Oranje are a top pick to win the group.

Beyond that, there is barely anything to split Japan and Sweden. Tunisia, who went unbeaten in qualifying for the tournament, were dealt a harsh 5-1 blow in their opening game, placing them on the opposing end of the spectrum.

World Cup 2026 Group F qualification odds

• Netherlands – 1/14
• Japan – 2/13
• Sweden – 1/13
• Tunisia – 13/2

As we know, there is room for eight of the best 12 third-placed teams to qualify from the group stages this year, so it would be a monumental shock if the Netherlands crashed out early.

There is a world where all three of the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden make it through, but the lack of an obvious sacrificial lamb in Group F will make that more complicated. Tunisia should not be counted out this early despite their heavy defeat.

World Cup 2026 Group F fixtures: Match-by-match schedule

Group F: Full Fixture Schedule

All six matches, with venues and kick-off times

FIFA World Cup 2026

Gameweek 1 Sunday 14 June 2026

🇳🇱Netherlands

vs

Japan🇯🇵

9pm BST (4pm ET) AT&T Stadium, Arlington

Netherlands 19/20

Draw 13/5

Japan 13/5

🇸🇪Sweden

vs

Tunisia🇹🇳

3am BST (10pm ET, 14 Jun) Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe

Sweden 10/11

Draw 23/10

Tunisia 3/1

Gameweek 2 Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 June 2026

🇳🇱Netherlands

vs

Sweden🇸🇪

6pm BST (1pm ET) NRG Stadium, Houston Saturday 20 June

Netherlands 8/13

Draw 14/5

Sweden 7/2

🇹🇳Tunisia

vs

Japan🇯🇵

5am BST (midnight ET, 20/21 Jun) Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe Sunday 21 June (BST)

Tunisia 5/1

Draw 3/1

Japan 19/40

Gameweek 3 Thursday 25 June 2026

🇯🇵Japan

vs

Sweden🇸🇪

Midnight BST (7pm ET, 25 Jun) AT&T Stadium, Arlington Simultaneous kick-off

Japan 1/1

Draw 12/5

Sweden 5/2

🇹🇳Tunisia

vs

Netherlands🇳🇱

Midnight BST (7pm ET, 25 Jun) GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City Simultaneous kick-off

Tunisia 11/2

Draw 16/5

Netherlands 1/2

Odds correct at time of publishing. UK kick-off times shown.

2026 World Cup Group F predictions and betting angles

Netherlands

Two-time runners-up Netherlands are in the hunt for their first-ever World Cup triumph this summer. Four years ago, they made it through to the quarter-finals before cruelly losing on penalties to eventual winners Argentina. Meanwhile, at Euro 2024, they lost in the dying minutes of their semi-final with England.

Ronald Koeman’s side shared the spoils with Japan in a 2-2 draw in their Group F opener. A goalless first period was followed by a thrilling second as the Blue Samurai emerged from the shadows to steal a point in the dying minutes.

Despite surrendering their lead, Oranje are now unbeaten in 17 World Cup group stage fixtures – dating back to 2006. It feels as if a quarter-final is the nation’s ceiling in the tournament, particularly with key players such as Van Dijk getting older and others out of form or suffering from injuries.

They have ripe odds in their favour. But are they worth backing to win the group? Japan and Sweden are more than capable of causing them problems for the top spot.

Japan

Several members of this Japan squad are accustomed to being part of difficult World Cup groups. After being placed alongside Spain and Germany at Qatar in 2022, Japan made it through as group winners, proving their credentials at this level.

The Blue Samurai came twice from behind in the second half against the Netherlands in the group opener, showcasing their ability to upset big sides in high intensity situations. Their chances of topping the group isn’t entirely out of question, especially if they step up their game against Sweden on the final matchday.

Japan's strengths are in wide areas. Kaoru Mitoma recently returned from injury and will play off the left, while Takefusa Kubo is equally as dangerous on the opposite side. Daichi Kamada, after his 89th-minute equaliser, will be brimming with confidence.

Japan's ability squeeze results makes them favourites to qualify to the next round. As far as their odds to win the group, 23/10 is excellent value, given their stature as giant killers. They face Tunisia next.

Sweden

This will be Sweden's first appearance at a World Cup since 2018 after failing to qualify for Qatar. Their route to the 2026 edition has been unusual to say the least. They won none of their six qualifiers, picking up just two points along the way. They were ultimately bailed out by their Nations League performance, which earned them a place in the playoffs.

Victories over Ukraine and Poland earned Graham Potter's side a place at the tournament, and they didn’t disappoint in their opening game against Tunisia. A rampant Swedish side made their presence known from the get-go, ultimately firing five past the Eagles of Carthage in a brilliant performance.

It's impossible to ignore the qualities of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres in the final-third, and Potter simply has to find a way to get both men in the starting XI. The Netherlands await Sweden next.

At 23/10, Sweden, like Japan, are excellent value to back as group winners. They might have endured a difficult qualifying campaign, but their five-star display against Tunisia spoke volumes of their quality on the ball.

Tunisia

Tunisia's World Cup qualifying performances were at the opposite end of the spectrum to Sweden's. The Eagles of Carthage picked up 28 points from a possible 30 in their qualifying group, making it to the finals with ease.

Despite that, Tunisia made the bold decision to change managers earlier this year following a poor Africa Cup of Nations campaign, which resulted in a shock round of 16 defeat to Mali. Sami Trabelsi has been replaced by Sabri Lamouchi in the hot seat.

They were easily dismantled by a rampant Sweden in their first round, and they now sit at the bottom of Group F after their 5-1 loss in Monterrey.

Tunisia have long odds at play in terms of qualification to the next round. They face Japan next, and are likely to bid goodbye if they fail to secure a point.

Final Group F prediction

1. Japan
2. Netherlands
3. Sweden
4. Tunisia

Group F best bets

Japan to win Group F at 23/10 is our top tip. Their performances at Qatar 2022 were brilliant, while their form coming into the tournament is equally as good – five consecutive wins, including scalps over Brazil and England.

They showed heart against the Netherlands, and teams should be wary of the Blue Samurai going forward.

Before you place your bet, make sure to check out the best World Cup 2026 betting offers for this summer's tournament.