Based on recent form and the Fifa rankings, the Netherlands are heavy favourites to make it out of Group F at the World Cup, and likely to do it with ease.
Japan could qualify as the second-best, though Sweden are also always a quality outfit. Tunisia are the lowest-ranked in the group, but certainly capable of posing problems and turning the bookies’ predictions upside down.
NETHERLANDS
Can the Dutch shed the bridesmaid’s tag and finally be the bride? That is one of the questions going into next month’s global showpiece.
They have been the unluckiest nation at World Cups, having been runners-up on three occasions.
Outside their inability to finish finals, the Dutch team have a remarkable record of consistency, reaching the knockout stage of every tournament they have participated in since 1974. In Qatar in 2022, they were knocked out by eventual winners Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals.
This combination are solid offensively and defensively, reflected in qualifying unbeaten to top their Uefa group. A technical staff of legendary defender Ronald Koeman as coach and former striking giant Ruud van Nistelrooy as an assistant are expected to take the Dutch far.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo will be the primary attacking threat, supported by Memphis Depay’s experience. Virgil van Dijk remains the anchor of the defence and a major aerial threat at set-pieces. Jeremie Frimpong and Micky van de Ven are expected to play pivotal roles.
They open their campaign against Japan on June 14.
- Fifa ranking: 7
- Best World Cup finishes: Runners-up (3) (1974, 1978, and 2010)
- World Cup appearances: 12
JAPAN
Beware of the “Samurai Blue”. Their name pops up as dark horses to make it deep into the tournament.
Japan have a huge reputation for upsetting high-profile countries. Four years ago they shocked the football fraternity when they beat Spain and Germany to top what was dubbed the “Group of Death” and reached the Round of 16 for the fourth time.
Though they have proceeded to the early knockout stages since their debut in 1998, they have yet to advance to a quarterfinal. Can they pull it off this time?
Players based in top European leagues include Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) and Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord). The duo will be key for the Japanese on attack. They will hope captain Wataru Endo and Takumi Minamino are fit enough to compete.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu, who won three J-League titles with Sanfrecce Hiroshima before taking the national job, is among the longest-serving bosses in North America having been appointed in August 2018. He made history as the first Japanese manager to retain his position after a World Cup in 2022.
- Fifa ranking: 18
- Best World Cup finishes: Round of 16 (4) (2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022)
- World Cup appearances: 8
SWEDEN
After missing out on the showpiece in Qatar, the Blagult return to the big stage. Will it be with a bang, and could they beat their previous best in 2018 when they reached the quarterfinals?
This combination has the potential. Sweden qualified as the Uefa second round Path B winners by beating Ukraine and Poland in dramatic fashion.
Coached by former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter, the Scandinavians will be looking to match their achievements at the last tournament on American soil, where the side led by Tomas Brolin and Martin Dahlin achieved an incredible third-place finish at USA 1994.
An EPL contingent of star players includes Liverpool’s record buy striker Alexander Isak, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres, Aston Villa centre-back Victor Lindelöf, Newcastle forward Anthony Elanga and Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall.
- Fifa ranking: 38
- Best World Cup finishes: Runners-up (1) (1958)
- World Cup appearances: 13
TUNISIA
If there’s a country capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat, it’s the Carthage Eagles. They showed that at the previous World Cup when they defeated then-defending champions and eventual finalists France 1-0, though that was not enough to get past the group phase.
The African continent will hope Tunisia pull off more surprises and proceed to the knockout stages for the first time. Since making their World Cup debut in 1978, the North Africans have battled to make it out of a World Cup group.
The team is undergoing transition heading into this year’s World Cup. They experienced a sudden coaching change in early 2026 after an underwhelming Africa Cup of Nations, where they exited in the last 16 on penalties to Mali in January. Sabri Lamouchi, who replaced Sami Trabelsi, the 1990s France international midfielder of Tunisian descent, led Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup and has coached Rennes and Nottingham Forest. The players will have to adapt to a new philosophy quickly.
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Al Ahly, Egypt), the top scorer in qualifying with four goals, is their star player. Others include 81-cap captain and midfielder Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri and Copenhagen winger Elias Achouri.
- Fifa ranking: 44
- Best World Cup finishes: Group Stage
- World Cup appearances: 7
• TimesLIVE, Sowetan, The Herald, Daily Dispatch and Business Day online are profiling a 2026 WORLD CUP GROUP every Tuesday until the tournament’s June 11 kick-off. Also catch the STAR PLAYER profile every Friday.
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