Netherlands vs Sweden: World Cup 2026 prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Netherlands looking for first win of World Cup against in-form Sweden

Netherlands and Sweden face off in their second Group F game as the Dutch look to overcome dropped points in their opening World Cup 2026 fixture.

Japan twice pegged back the Netherlands last week in a 2-2 draw, including an 89th-minute equaliser from Daichi Kamada, which prompted criticism in some quarters of head coach Ronald Koeman’s for perceived negative substitutions.

Ryan Gravenberch was replaced by defender Nathan Ake late on, inviting pressure leading to Japan’s corner, from which Kamada scored in the final minute. The dropped points mean the Netherlands must pick up all three on Saturday to avoid a nervy third group game.

Sweden can secure a knockout stage spot with a win of their own, having trounced Tunisia 5-1 in their opening game. Alexander Isak and Victor Gyokeres both scored in a dream return to the World Cup for the Scandinavians, whose only World Cup appearance in the last 20 years was Russia 2018.

Netherlands vs Sweden is scheduled for a 6pm BST kick-off on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The match will take place at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas

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Where to watch Netherlands vs Sweden for FREE

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 5.30pm BST.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with BBC iPlayer and their websites.

Netherlands vs Sweden team news

Xavi Simons missed out on the Netherlands’ squad after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April. Jurrien Timber also misses out after a groin injury which kept him out of Arsenal’s run-in - he was replaced in the squad by Lutsharel Geertruida.

Jurrien Timber’s twin brother, midfielder Quinten, is confirmed to be missing out on the Sweden game after suffering a concussion in training.

Netherlands squad: Bart Verbruggen, Mark Flekken, Robin Roefs, Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Jorrel Hato, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Lutsharel Geertruida, Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, Teun Koopmeiners, Noah Lang, Tijjani Reijnders, Marten de Roon, Guus Til, Quinten Timber, Mats Wieffer, Brian Brobbey, Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, Justin Kluivert, Donyell Malen, Crysencio Summerville, Wout Weghorst

Captain Fantastic: Virgil van Dijk

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Sweden do not have any fresh injury concerns, but are still missing the playmaking abilities of Dejan Kulusevski, who has not played a minute of football for club or country in over a year.

The Spurs midfielder was rumoured to have a chance of making the Sweden squad, but constant injury setbacks and surgeries see him ruled out.

Isak was seen training alone after their win over Tunisia, but the Swedish FA confirmed the Liverpool man was fine after his double against the African side.

Sweden squad: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfelt, Jacob Widdell Zetterstrom, Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Emil Holm, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Eric Smith, Carl Starfelt, Elliot Stroud, Daniel Svensson, Taha Ali, Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall, Jesper Karlström, Ken Sema, Mattias Svanberg, Besfort Zeneli, Alexander Bernhardsson, Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, Gustaf Nilsson, Benjamin Nygren

Netherlands vs Sweden prediction

Sweden were impressive in their 5-1 shellacking of Tunisia, but the Netherlands are made of significantly sterner stuff than the North Africans. They will also want to get a first win after that last-minute Japan equaliser.

Yasin Ayari scored a brilliant double against Tunisia, and will want to build on that against the Netherlands. The strike partnership of Isak and Gyokeres may also worry van Dijk et al.

I expect a tight game, with Sweden pulling off a bit of an upset and putting the Netherlands on the brink of elimination. Expect pitchforks out for Ronald Koeman.

Netherlands 1-2 Sweden

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Netherlands wins: 9

Sweden wins: 4

Draws: 7

Netherlands vs Sweden match odds

Netherlands to win: 4/6

Sweden to win: 16/5

Draw: 11/5

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