Group F brings together the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in what could become one of the more awkward groups at the World Cup — we’ll get into why.
The Dutch have the deepest squad on paper and will be expected to take control, but Japan arrive with serious dark-horse energy after impressing in 2022 and qualifying quickly this time around.
Sweden have major attacking names but perhaps lack depth, while Tunisia are a stubborn opposition indeed. There is not enough between these teams to suggest a group stage lacking in drama and excitement.
World Cup Group F guide
Netherlands
The Netherlands went unbeaten in qualifying, although the level of opposition means it is still hard to know exactly where Ronald Koeman’s side stand.
On paper, this is one of the strongest squads in the tournament. The defensive options are outstanding, with Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Jurrien Timber, Denzel Dumfries, Nathan Ake and others giving Koeman huge depth.
The midfield also has real quality, with Tijjani Reijnders, Ryan Gravenberch and Frenkie de Jong all offering different strengths. The question is whether it functions naturally as a three.
There are similar questions in attack. Memphis Depay is now the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer, while Donyell Malen arrives after a brilliant end to the season, but fitting everything together may not be simple.
Japan
Japan look like the team nobody should want to face in Group F. They were the fastest side to qualify after the three host nations and have already shown they can hurt elite opponents on the World Cup stage.
Their 2022 wins over Spain and Germany were not flukes. Japan are technically sharp, tactically flexible and deep enough to change shape and personnel without losing too much rhythm.
That depth could be a major advantage. Hajime Moriyasu has used a huge number of players across recent matches, which suggests Japan are comfortable rotating and adapting.
Even without Kaoru Mitoma, there is enough quality in forward areas. Ayase Ueda is coming off a Golden Boot-winning campaign with Feyenoord, with different attacking profiles like Takefusa Kubo and Daizen Maeda to surround him with.
Sweden
Sweden have talent, but they also arrive with questions. Their route to the tournament was not convincing, and Graham Potter has not had much time to shape the team in competitive football.
The names are impressive. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres give Sweden serious firepower, while Lucas Bergvall and Yasin Ayari point to a squad with exciting younger talent.
The issue is balance. Getting Isak and Gyokeres into the same forward line against stronger teams sounds attractive, but it may leave Sweden exposed if the structure behind them is not right.
There is enough quality for Sweden to cause problems, especially if their forwards click.
Tunisia
Tunisia may be the least glamorous side in Group F, but they could be one of the hardest to break down.
Their qualifying campaign was built on defensive strength. They kept 10 clean sheets and are likely to sit deep, stay compact and make games frustrating for more talented opponents.
That kind of approach can work well in tournament football, especially against teams still trying to find attacking fluency. The Netherlands and Sweden, in particular, may have to be patient against them.
The obvious concern is goals. Tunisia look defensively sound, but they do not appear to have the same attacking starpower as Sweden or the same variety as Japan. That may make it hard to turn tight games into wins.
Predicting Group F at the World Cup
This one is so difficult. On paper, Sweden should be contending, but I just haven’t seen it yet with Potter.
The Netherlands and Japan are the top two, and while the latter feel like a real dark horse to cause problems again in the knockouts, I’ll pick Koeman’s men to top the group.
Sweden in third, and the resilient but possibly toothless Tunisia in fourth.
