The FIFA World Cup 2026 is moving into the knockout phase, and Group F has now been fully decided. Netherlands finished the group stage with seven points and top billing after a dominant 3-1 win over Tunisia in Kansas City. In Arlington, Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw that proved sufficient for both sides to book their places in the Round of 32.
How Group F Finished
Netherlands went through the group stage without losing a single match, collecting seven points to claim first place. They will face Morocco in the Round of 32 in Monterrey on Monday. Japan came second with five points and face a mouth-watering tie against five-time champions Brazil in the next round. Sweden, on four points, advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the tournament. Tunisia finished without a single point and are eliminated from the competition.
Netherlands Storm to Victory in Kansas City
In Kansas City, Netherlands settled the contest with barely any time on the clock. They scored twice in the opening seven minutes to make the outcome clear almost immediately. In the third minute, Tunisia captain Elyès Skiiri turned Denzel Dumfries' cross into his own net while attempting a clearance, handing Netherlands an effortless early lead. Four minutes later, Bryan Brobbey doubled the advantage. Virgil van Dijk headed Tijjani Reijnders' free-kick into the path of Brobbey, who finished from close range to complete his third goal of the tournament.
Tunisia had already been knocked out before this final group fixture but showed some spirit in the second half. In the 54th minute, Hazem Mastouri outjumped the defence to meet Hannibal Mejbri's corner and directed a powerful header into the bottom corner. It was only Tunisia's second goal of the entire tournament. Netherlands quickly restored their two-goal cushion. In the 62nd minute, Jan Paul van Hecke rose to attack yet another precise corner from Reijnders and headed home his first World Cup goal, sealing the result at 3-1.
Japan and Sweden Both Progress After Arlington Draw
Over in Arlington, Japan and Sweden played a 1-1 draw that suited both teams perfectly. The first half was cagey, with clear chances difficult to come by on either side. The game opened up sharply after the interval. In the 56th minute, Ritsu Doan combined with Ayase Ueda in a crisp one-two before threading a perfectly timed through ball into the run of Daizen Maeda. Maeda kept his composure and slotted past Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom to give Japan the lead.
Sweden responded just six minutes later. Anthony Elanga cut inside from the left flank and curled a fine shot into the net to level at 1-1. As the match entered its closing stages, Sweden pushed relentlessly for a winner, but goalkeeper Suzuki twice denied Alexander Isak with sharp saves to keep the scores level. That draw was ultimately all either side needed. Japan advanced in second place with five points, while Sweden went through on four as one of the competition's best third-placed teams.
