Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia. A heavyweight group: the Netherlands and Japan are both top-15 sides, Sweden arrive with a frightening strike force, and Tunisia are organised and awkward.
Key stats of each team
Below are numbers from each team's recent matches, computed from the ScanGoal database. Each card ends with auto-insights — what stands out in the data.
Netherlands last 12 months · 12 matches| Goals for/game | 2.4 |
| Goals against/game | 0.9 |
| xG for/game | 2.0 |
| xG against/game | 0.8 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 67% |
| Both teams score | 67% |
| Corners/game | 5.5 |
| Yellow cards/game | 0.6 |
| Shots on target/game | 5.5 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 67% of games
- a strong attack — 2.4 goals per game
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 67% of games
- disciplined — only 0.6 yellows per game
- creates real chances: 2.0 xG per game
- out-finishing their xG
Japan last 12 months · 14 matches| Goals for/game | 2.0 |
| Goals against/game | 0.6 |
| xG for/game | 1.1 |
| xG against/game | 0.5 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 43% |
| Both teams score | 29% |
| Corners/game | 4.8 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.0 |
| Shots on target/game | 6.0 |
- a tight defence — just 0.6 conceded per game
- a strong attack — 2.0 goals per game
- often one-sided for goals: both teams score in just 29%
- disciplined — only 1.0 yellows per game
- out-finishing their xG
Sweden last 12 months · 12 matches| Goals for/game | 1.6 |
| Goals against/game | 2.2 |
| xG for/game | 1.1 |
| xG against/game | 1.5 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 67% |
| Both teams score | 75% |
| Corners/game | 4.2 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.7 |
| Shots on target/game | 4.2 |
- a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 67% of games
- goals at both ends — BTTS in 75% of games
- out-finishing their xG
Tunisia last 12 months · 22 matches| Goals for/game | 1.5 |
| Goals against/game | 1.5 |
| xG for/game | 1.0 |
| xG against/game | 1.4 |
| Over 2.5 goals | 55% |
| Both teams score | 41% |
| Corners/game | 4.8 |
| Yellow cards/game | 1.5 |
| Shots on target/game | 3.8 |
- out-finishing their xG
Form going in
Netherlands — recent form WDLWDW| 20.06.26 | Netherlands5:1xG 2.5 : 1.0Sweden | World Cup 2026 |
| 14.06.26 | Netherlands2:2xG 0.8 : 0.5Japan | World Cup 2026 |
| 08.06.26 | Netherlands2:1xG 4.6 : 1.0Uzbekistan | International Match |
| 03.06.26 | Netherlands0:1xG 2.2 : 0.5Algeria | Friendlies |
| 31.03.26 | Netherlands1:1xG 0.1 : 1.6Ecuador | International Match |
| 27.03.26 | Netherlands2:1Norway | International Match |
Japan — recent form WWWDW| 21.06.26 | Tunisia0:4xG 0.0 : 2.1Japan | World Cup 2026 |
| 14.06.26 | Netherlands2:2xG 0.8 : 0.5Japan | World Cup 2026 |
| 31.05.26 | Japan1:0xG 1.0 : 0.4Iceland | International Match |
| 31.03.26 | England0:1xG 1.0 : 0.6Japan | International Match |
| 28.03.26 | Scotland0:1Japan | Friendlies |
Who goes through
The Netherlands have the most complete squad and should advance first. Japan, fast and fluid, are favourites for second over a Sweden side that can outscore anyone but also leaks. Tunisia will make every game ugly.
Dark horse & possible upset
Sweden are the dark horse with the highest ceiling: if their forwards click, they can win the group. The likeliest upset is Sweden's attacking numbers simply overwhelming Japan in a shootout.
Squads: call-ups & shocks
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman caused a stir by leaving out Liverpool's Jeremie Frimpong; injuries also ruled out Xavi Simons (ACL), Matthijs de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij, while Joshua Zirkzee missed the cut. All-time top scorer Memphis Depay returns for a fourth World Cup and West Ham's Crysencio Summerville is the lone debutant, behind captain Virgil van Dijk. Source: ESPN.
Betting angles
Sweden and Japan profiles lean heavily to overs and BTTS; Tunisia drag games under. This is one of the best overs/BTTS groups on the board — but pick the fixtures carefully.
Remember: totals, corners and cards are markets where our national-team data is most useful. Cross-check live odds and our Value Picks of the day; the handicap mechanics are covered in our Asian handicap guide.
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