World Cup 2026: Group F Preview

Preview to Group F

HOLLAND

MANAGER: Ronald Koeman

FIFA RANKING: 7

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 11

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Runners Up x3 - 1974, 1978 and 2010

Holland are arguably the unluckiest team in World Cup history as they've been beaten in three finals. They've had some incredible talents over the years with Johan Cruyff of course being their main stand out, but they just haven't been able to win a World Cup. They have a strong squad on paper heading into this tournament with the potential to go far at this tournament. But they're still not quite on the same level as the some of the othertop teams.

KEY PLAYER: Cody Gakpo

Position: Forward

Club: Liverpool

Gakpo might divide opinion among the Liverpool fans, but for the Dutch he's one of their key players as his goal record shows. He announced himself on the international stage at the last World Cup by netting 3 times before netting another 3 times at the Euros two years ago. He always delivers for his country and it's for that reason why he'll be their main man coming into this tournament.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Tijjani Reijnders

Position: Midfielder

Club: Man City

Reijnders had a largely ineffective first season at Man City despite impressing on his debut against Wolves. He'll be the player that links the midfield and the attack for the Dutch because of his creativity and ability to drive forward with the ball which he always show when playing for his country. He's the closest the Dutch have had to a creative midfielder since Wesley Sneijder.

PREDICTION: Quarter Finals

They have a strong and talented squad on paper and they should comfortably win the group because of this. But I think they'll fall short of the latter stages due to there being stronger teams whose level they are not on yet.

JAPAN

MANAGER: Hajime Moriyasu

FIFA RANKING: 18

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 7

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Last 16 x4 - 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022

Japan have been a surprise package at past World Cups and they were that team once again in Qatar where they finished top of their group and beat both Germany and Spain. Those giant killings have continued heading into this tournament as they Brazil in October before beating England at Wembley in March. They'll again be a side no team should underestimate this summer because of their recent history of upsetting the odds.

KEY PLAYER: Ayase Ueda

Position: Striker

Club: Feyenoord

Ueda was the top goal scorer in the Eredivisie last season by scoring 24 goals and Japan will be hoping that he can carry that form into this tournament. His form for his country hasn't been brilliant of late and with Kaoru Mitoma injured, the Japanese will need him to step up on the goals front if they're to cause more shocks.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Daichi Kamada

Position: Midfielder

Club: Crystal Palace

Kamada does pretty much everything in the midfield including winning the ball back for his team and setting up chances for his teammates. He is the heartbeat of the Japan midfield because of his ability to turn defence into attack by disrupting the opposition's play and getting attacks started for his team.

PREDICTION: Last 32

They've caused some big upsets in the past and will be looking to do the same again due to their underdog mentality. They won't reach the latter stages, but they should qualify from the group as they should have enough in them to do so.

SWEDEN

MANAGER: Graham Potter

FIFA RANKING: 38

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 12

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Runners Up - 1958

Sweden are incredibly fortunate to be at this World Cup as they finished bottom of their qualifying group without a win to their name, but still qualified via the play offs after being guaranteed that spot through their performance in the Nations League. They might've been talked about as dark rhoses had the World Cup been a year ago because they had at the time two of the most-inform strikers in Europe. One year later, that has been far from the case as one has had an ok season whilst the other hasn't been fit but is still in the squad.

KEY PLAYER: Viktor Gyokeres

Position: Striker

Club: Arsenal

Gyokeres pretty much single handedly sent Sweden to this World Cup with his hat trick against Ukraine and late winner against Poland in the play offs. If they're to get out of their group, they'll need him to deliver those sort of moments once again.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Yasin Ayari

Position: Midfielder

Club: Brighton

Ayari had a decent season with Brighton last season as he put in a number of good performances and chipped in with some crucial goals. He has everything you want from a midfielder in work rate, strength and the ability to pick players out by seeing where they're going and when to play the ball into them.

PREDICTION: Last 32

They were very fortunate to qualify for this tournament and their performances could show it. They have a good squad of player on paper, but there are uncertainties over team selection and fitness.

TUNISIA

MANAGER: Sabri Lamouchi

FIFA RANKING: 44

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Group Stage x6 - 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018 and 2022.

This will be Tunisia's seventh appearance at the World Cup and they'll be looking to go one better than their previous six appearances by qualifying from the group. But it will be tough as they're in a tough group and don't have the calibre of players that the other teams in their group have. They no longer have Wahbi Khazri who has since retired from playing with no player like him in their current squad, this tournament will be even more of a challenge.

KEY PLAYER: Ellyes Skhiri

Position: Midfielder

Club: Eintracht Frankfurt

Skhiri is Tunisia's captain and midfield lynchpin due to his ability to break up opposition attacks and control the game from midfield. He can pick out any kind of pass from anywhere on the pitch due to his incredible vision and players are on the move the moment he's ready to play a pass.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Hannibal Mejbri

Position: Midfielder

Club: Burnley

Mejbri has been a regular for Tunisia pretty much ever since he made his debut and he already has 45 caps to his name at the age of 23. He's a player who is willing to drive his team up the pitch due to his stamina and do the ugly side of the game alongside that by putting in crucial tackles. He'll need to show the latter a lot at this World Cup as Tunisia are likely to be without the ball for most of their games.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

They've never made it out of the group stage at this tournament and I can only see it happening again. Especially as they're once again in another tough group.