Check out our other previews: Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E
Best result: finalists, 11 appearances, 7th in World ranking
For many, the Netherlands are the greatest national team never to have won the World Cup, having lost in the final three times; in 1974, 1978 and 2010. This summer's edition will be their 12th attempt at going one step further, yet just their second in succession after their surprise failure to qualify for Russia 2018. They are seventh in the FIFA World ranking and have been for a few months, suggesting their consistency as one of the top sides heading into the tournament.
Path to the finals
The Oranje came through World Cup qualifying unscathed, winning home and away against Finland, Malta and Lithuania and earning two 1-1 draws against nearest challengers Poland to top Group G and remain unbeaten. 27 goals scored and four conceded represented one of the best attacks and meanest defences across all UEFA qualification groups, as the Dutch officially booked their ticket to North America on 17th November when they beat Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam in their final group match.
Key player
The Netherlands possess a squad with attacking quality all over the pitch, with full-backs who can bomb forward, creativity in midfield and their all-time top scorer, Memphis Depay, up front. But as the saying goes, "offence sells tickets, defence wins championships," which is why Virgil van Dijk is still the key man. The captain, edging closer to the 100-cap mark, leads the team by example and marshals that defence that few have breached in the past 12 months. Not only that, he adds his own attacking capabilities, notching two goals in qualification.
Editor’s view
Ronald Koeman has a squad that has an answer to every issue - van Dijk may have lost some pace, but Nathan Ake and Micky van de Ven certainly have not; Xavi Simons being ruled out through injury would be a major problem for many teams, but not one boasting Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen. With Denzel Dumfries getting forward, Frenkie de Jong controlling the tempo and Memphis up top, Koeman's setup is capable of asking questions of the very best teams in the world, as they did in 2022, when they took eventual champions Argentina to penalties in the Quarter-finals.
Flashscore prediction
The Netherlands go into the World Cup not as one of the real favourites, but among the second band of teams for whom lifting the trophy cannot be discounted. The team has not changed much since reaching the Semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2024, and another last-four appearance this time could be their ceiling. They will be expected to win Group F, which would set up a Round of 32 clash with the runner-up in Group C, where Morocco or Scotland are the most likely tricky opponents. Come through that, and a meeting with the runner-up in Group A or B would be one of the kinder Round of 16 matches on offer, setting up a decent potential route to the latter stages.
Fixtures
14 June, 22:00 CEST: Netherlands vs Japan - AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX
20 June, 19:00 CEST: Netherlands vs Sweden - NRG Stadium, Houston TX
26 June, 01:00 CEST: Tunisia vs Netherlands - Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City MO
Japan
Best result: Round of 16, seven appearances, 18th in World ranking
Since debuting in 1998, Japan have not missed a World Cup finals, meaning 2026 will be their eighth appearance. They have reached the Round of 16 four times: as co-hosts in 2002, in 2010 and at the last two editions, but are yet to win a knockout match at the tournament. Japan are ranked 18th in the world, making them the best Asian team according to the FIFA rankings.
Path to the finals
Japan joined AFC (Asian) qualification in Round Two, winning all six of their matches without conceding a goal. Round 3 proved a slightly greater test, as Samurai Blue won seven, drew two and lost one match en route to winning a group containing Australia and Saudi Arabia. Their only defeat came away in Australia, but securing their place on 20th March 2025 meant Japan were the first team other than the hosts to qualify.
Key player
What has made Japan prosper in recent years is that the team as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts, not relying on a talisman. That will be the case again in 2026, but one player who has caught the eye this season is Ayase Ueda, the 27-year-old striker whose 25 league goals for Feyenoord this season made him the top scorer in the Eredivisie. He has scored 16 times in 39 caps for Japan so far, and they are unbeaten in matches when Ueda has scored.
Editor’s view
Hajime Moriyasu took over as head coach after the 2018 World Cup, where he had been part of the coaching staff watching on as Japan lost narrowly to Belgium. His reign has only seen the Far Eastern side progress, beating Germany and Spain in the Group Stage in Qatar before only losing to Croatia on penalties, and more recently, they have added friendly wins over Germany, Brazil and England. His side will not be taken lightly anymore, but his experience in charge of a squad that plies its trade across Europe's top leagues mean there's no reason why Japan can't continue their upward trajectory.
Flashscore prediction
The loss of Kaoru Mitoma to injury will be felt, but with Hiroki Ito, Wataru Endo and Takefusa Kubo to name a few, Japan have enough quality in all areas to add the Dutch to their list of scalps. A maiden Quarter-final is perfectly possible, but with a second-placed finish in the group likely to pit them against Brazil in the Round of 32, a third Round of 16 exit in as many tournaments would represent progress.
Fixtures
14 June, 22:00 CEST: Netherlands vs Japan - AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX
21 June, 06:00 CEST: Tunisia vs Japan - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
26 June, 01:00 CEST: Japan vs Sweden - AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX
Sweden
Best result: finalists, 12 appearances, 38th in World ranking
Having missed Qatar 2022, Sweden are returning to the World Cup to make their 13th appearance in total. The last time the finals were held in the USA, Sweden finished third, their joint-best result on foreign soil alongside 1950, but losing the Final to Brazil when they hosted in 1958 remains their best performance. Sweden are ranked 38th in the world, climbing five places in 2026.
Path to the finals
Sweden took one of the most unusual routes to the World Cup in its 96-year history - not winning any of their six matches in their qualification group, sacking Jon Dahl Tomasson and installing Graham Potter as head coach along the way. However, previous performances in the UEFA Nations League earned them a place in the play-offs, where they beat Ukraine and Poland to reach the tournament.
Key player
In Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, Sweden possesses two of the outstanding centre-forwards in world football, but right now, it's Gyokeres who is the focal point of the attack. A Premier League winner in his first season at Arsenal, the 27-year-old stepped up when it mattered most for the national team, scoring a hat-trick against Ukraine and the winner against Poland in the play-offs. The striker has 19 goals from 32 caps, nine of which were scored in the Nations League campaign that earned the play-off spot in the first place.
Editor’s view
Sweden were outshone by a far from full-strength Norway in their first warm-up match, and while friendly results are not always a true reflection of a team, there is still a lot for Potter to improve upon. Anthony Elanga and Yasin Ayari bring the creativity Blagult need to get the best out of their strikers, while Victor Lindelof and Isak Hien provide real solidity at the back. However, the lack of a world-class goalkeeper and Potter's decision to leave Roony Bardghji and Williot Swedberg at home has caused concern.
Flashscore prediction
Sweden's opening game against Tunisia will be crucial - a big win could be enough for a place in the Round of 32, but slip ups of the standard seen in qualifying will give them a mountain to climb against the Dutch and Japan. That said, if Gyokeres, Isak or both can hit top form, Sweden could be one of the dark horses in North America.
Fixtures
15 June, 04:00 CEST: Sweden vs Tunisia - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
20 June, 19:00 CEST: Netherlands vs Sweden - NRG Stadium, Houston TX
26 June, 01:00 CEST: Japan vs Sweden - AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX
Tunisia
Best result: Group Stage, six appearances, 45th in World ranking
Tunisia will be embarking on their seventh World Cup appearance since they impressed on debut in 1978, where they beat Mexico and drew with West Germany in Argentina. That wasn't enough to make it out of the group, something they are still waiting to do. 2026 marks their third qualification in a row, something they also managed between 1998 and 2006. The Eagles of Carthage are ranked 45th in the world.
Path to the finals
Tunisia qualified for the World Cup at a canter, winning nine and drawing one of their 10 qualifiers, keeping 10 clean sheets as they finished 12 points clear of nearest 'challengers' Namibia and Liberia. Qualification was sealed under head coach Sami Trabelsi on 8th September 2025, only for him to be replaced by Sabri Lamouchi, who will lead the side at the tournament.
Key player
Solidity is Tunisia's greatest strength, which is why defensive midfielder Ellyes Skhiri is such an important player for the North Africans. The most experienced player in the side with 82 caps, the 31-year-old captain will be dictating Tunisia's shape as they look to thwart some of the best attacking talent on the planet. At the heart of Eintracht Frankfurt's midfield since 2023 and formerly at Koln and Montpellier, Skhiri adds top-five league know-how to Lamouchi's squad.
Editor’s view
In their most recent World Cup match, Tunisia beat France 1-0 in Qatar. With that in mind, they certainly won't be overawed by their Group F opponents, but there is no getting away from the fact that said opponents are of a completely different calibre to the ones they faced in qualifying. However, the pressure will be on their opposition, especially Sweden in their opening game, where Tunisia will likely adapt better to the conditions in Monterrey. There are grounds for an upset, but someone needs to put the ball in the net - no player in the squad has more than full-back Ali Abdi's seven international goals.
Flashscore prediction
A long-awaited maiden knockout appearance at the World Cup is unlikely to come this year for Tunisia, though they can certainly frustrate the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan. A fourth win at the finals could be enough to sneak through as one of the best third-placed teams, but an awful lot would need to fall their way.
Fixtures
15 June, 04:00 CEST: Sweden vs Tunisia - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
21 June, 06:00 CEST: Tunisia vs Japan - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
26 June, 01:00 CEST: Tunisia vs Netherlands - Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City MO
Check out previews from Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D and Group E by clicking on the links.