World Cup Guide: everything you need to know about Group F | OneFootball

The World Cup is almost here! With the countdown inching ever closer to zero, Playmaker is stepping up to present the 48 participating teams across 12 articles - one for each group in the competition. From likely starting XIs to the key players to watch, we've got everything you need to know ahead of the biggest competition in world football.

Now it's time for Group F – Balance seems to be the right word to describe this set of teams that will compete against each other. On paper, the Netherlands, because of their history and a squad packed with quality players, may be seen as slight favourites.

Even so, Sweden and Japan are not far behind – hey will certainly be a headache. Meanwhile Tunisia can be seen as the underdog, but they are also no stranger to this stage either.

It is worth noting that none of these four nations knows what it is like to lift the World Cup trophy. Even so, the Dutch and the Swedes know what it means to reach a final. The Oranje have already been in three, the latest in 2010, when they were beaten by Spain. The Scandinavians, in a tournament they hosted in 1958, lost to Brazil.

Tunisia

Number of appearances: Seven

Best result: Group stage

This is by no means the African side with the richest World Cup pedigree, yet Tunisia already have three consecutive appearances at football’s biggest tournament. A clear sign of consistency, coming after they sealed another qualification campaign in a group where they were overwhelming favourites, alongside Namibia, Liberia, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe. Nine wins in ten games, zero goals conceded, 22 scored.

Realistically, it will not be easy to secure a place in the round of 16. Curiously, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Tunisians opened with a win over France, which raised expectations slightly. Things then swung sharply the other way. A quick defeat to Australia followed, then a draw with Denmark, and that meant elimination.

At the 2025 AFCON, Tunisia still managed to reach the round of 16 after beating Uganda, drawing with Tanzania and losing to Nigeria. In the next round, they fell on penalties to Mali. When the level rises, the North African side seems to wobble a little. That could clearly be a problem at the World Cup.

The coach - Sabri Lamouchi

Shortly after Tunisia’s round-of-16 exit at AFCON 2025, the Tunisian federation decided to part ways with Sami Trabelsi, after the coach had returned in February 2025 (he had already led the national team between 2011 and 2013).

That led to Sabri Lamouchi, a former player with 12+ caps for France, taking charge. The Franco-Tunisian had last coached Al-Diriyah, in the Saudi second division. He has also managed Nottingham Forest, Rennes and Côte d’Ivoire, including at the 2014 World Cup.

The key man - Ellyes Skhiri

81 caps, appearances at two World Cups and four AFCON tournaments. Team captain. Ellyes Skhiri is Tunisia’s main reference point. The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder is physically strong and excellent at winning the ball back. This defensive midfielder helps Tunisia stay highly organised on the pitch, strengthening defensive cohesion — one of the team’s biggest weapons.

One to watch - Hannibal Mejbri

He is not yet at Skhiri’s level of influence, but his talent could clearly take him there. Hannibal Mejbri is a 23-year-old midfielder who developed at Monaco and Manchester United — where he made his professional debut. A good footballing education. He now represents Burnley, and already has Premier League experience. He is a midfielder who stands out for his passing quality and his ability to link defence and attack.

With 44 caps alrady at such a young age, it remains to be seen where his club career will go but he is undoubtedly one to watch.

Other key players: Youssef Msakni (Espérance de Tunis), Ali Abdi (Nice), Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Yassine Meriah (Espérance de Tunis) and Montassar Talbi (Lorient).

Sweden

Number of appearances: 13

Best result: Runners-up

It was a drama to get here, but Sweden have indeed secured a place at the World Cup. A win over Poland in the play-off carried the Nordic side through to qualification. 3-2, with the inevitable Viktor Gyökeres scoring the decisive goal.

After all that suffering, it is time to look ahead. In that direction lies a balanced Group F that will demand the very best from this side. It is worth noting that Sweden missed out on the Qatar World Cup precisely because they were knocked out by the Polish side at the time. Robert Lewandowski and company showed no mercy, but Sweden got their revenge in 2026.

At this stage, the Swedish generation looks a little different. Gyökeres, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Daniel Svensson, Hugo Larsson — who was not called up — and even Benjamin Nygren have emerged. In the meantime, Alexander Isak and Anthony Elanga have taken on bigger roles, and Victor Lindelöf is one of the leaders. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, arguably Sweden’s greatest ever striker, is long gone but even so, this crop contains enough names to give Swedish supporters some hope.

The big question will be Isak’s physical condition after suffering a fibula fracture. The forward returned to action in April, but still looks slightly short of full fitness.

The coach - Graham Potter

Graham Potter is a very familiar name to football fans. He enjoyed huge success at Brighton and Hove Albion, developing several players, which earned him a move to Chelsea, a step that did not work out. That was followed by a brief spell at West Ham, which also brought no fortune.

The Englishman was, then, a curious choice to take charge of Sweden, but it was not a shot in the dark. Early in his career, the Briton coached Ostersunds FK in Sweden, where he even won a cup.

The key man - Viktor Gyökeres

One of the biggest strikers in international football. After huge success at Sporting, the centre-forward had the opportunity to join Arsenal. He initially failed to meet expectations, but as the season went on performances improved. One of the clear standouts in this squad although under normal circumstances the main man would be Alexander Isak, had injury not intervened.

One to watch - Lucas Bergvall

He is not yet an undisputed starter, not least because the Swedes are well stocked in midfield, but Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall could be a stand-out perofrmer. The 20-year-old is a regular in the English side, at a level of high demand such as the Premier League. 

Other key players: Anthony Elanga (Newcastle), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic), Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund), Victor Lindelöf (Aston Villa) and Alexander Isak (Liverpool).

Netherlands

Number of appearances: 12

Best result: Runners-up

Never underestimate the Oranje. The team led by Ronald Koeman, who reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024, has a very cohesive generation blending youth that could bear fruit with a measure of experience already proven at the very highest level.

Qualification for the 2026 World Cup was almost spotless. In a group that also included Poland, Finland, Malta and Lithuania, the Dutch did not suffer a single defeat and conceded only four goals in eight matches. As noted above, this team can reasonably be considered the favourite to finish top of the group.

After a quarter-final exit at the World Cup against reigning world champions Argentina, the Netherlands can dream of going deeper this time. The competition is fierce, but their flair — combined with generations of immense quality — has already taken this country to three finals, all of which ended in defeat.

The coach - Ronald Koeman

A name that needs no introduction. As a player, he earned 78 caps for the Netherlands. Along the way, he celebrated Euro 1998, won against the Soviet Union. He started that final, decided by Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten. As a coach, he has already managed Barcelona, Ajax, Benfica, Feyenoord... the list is long. This will be Ronald Koeman’s first World Cup as a coach, but that is unlikely to be a problem for such an experienced football man.

The key man - Virgil Van Dijk

Virgil Van Dijk is the main pillar of this side. The Liverpool defender, who is usually captain, stands as the leader of the back line, bringing plenty of security to that unit.

A Reds stalwart for nine seasons now, the Dutch centre-back is used to the biggest stages. He has already won two Champions Leagues and two Premier Leagues. Experience is not in short supply, nor are talent and leadership. He is one of the best defenders of all time.

One to watch - Jorrel Hato

He may not seem the most obvious rising name at first glance, but Hato is one of the players who could clearly stand out for the Netherlands. He impressed at Chelsea — in a difficult season for the Blues — and showed that he has the quality to perform on the biggest stages.

He can play as a left-sided centre-back or as a full-back. He combines pace with tidy ball control, which makes him useful in deeper build-up play. He could be a good template as a replacement for Nathan Aké, who has somewhat similar qualities.

Other key players: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Aston Villa), Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) and Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona).

Japan

Number of appearances: Eight

Best result: Round of 16

A side always capable of springing surprises. It is impossible to forget those wins over Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup. The problem usually comes afterwards, in the knockout phase. In their eight World Cup appearances, the Japanese have been knocked out in the round of 16 on four occasions.

The attacking options offer plenty of reasons for optimism. Daizen Maeda, formerly of Marítimo, Ayase Ueda, Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura are some of the players who could take this side to another level.

Curiously, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu also called up Yuto Nagatomo, the 39-year-old veteran defender. Still active and now with FC Tokyo in the capital of his homeland, the left-back is heading into his fifth consecutive World Cup. A national institution, with more than 100 caps.

The coach - Hajime Moriyasu

In charge of the senior national team since 2018, Hajime Moriyasu can dream of achieving what has not yet been done: reaching beyond the round of 16. The group is balanced, will pose challenges, but is far from impossible.

This coach has also enjoyed success at club level, winning three Japanese league titles with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Along the way, he also collected three more Japanese Super Cups. It is worth noting that he was also a player, earning 24 caps. He spent his entire career in Japan.

The key man - Takefusa Kubo

Blessed with a phenomenal left foot, Take Kubo is one of those players capable of deciding a match. Although he has had a muscular injury during this season, which cost him match rhythm, the winger is ready to compete and could be the face of this Japan side.

At Real Sociedad for several seasons now, Kubo is a highly technical player, a strong dribbler and useful in decisive areas. Real Madrid even signed him at the age of 18, but he never made a first-team appearance for the Spanish giants.

One to watch - Zion Suzuki

Goalkeepers are rarely singled out. The brilliance normally goes to outfield players, but in this case a mention is required. Zion Suzuki is a 23-year-old goalkeeper with some very interesting qualities. He breaks the Japanese stereotype by standing at 1.90m. He also has good feet, although he can sometimes take too many risks.

The Parma player, already with 24 caps for Japan, has made the Italian side’s goal his own and, over the last two seasons, has been one of the pleasant surprises in that position. If he has a strong tournament, he could easily move on to an even bigger stage.

Other key players: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Wataru Endo (Liverpool) and Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims).