The first set of games in Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup were a fascinating contrast, setting up an intriguing run to the knockout round in this group.
In one match, heavyweights Japan and the Netherlands finished level in a 2-2 draw, with both teams showing the skill and ability to make a deep run in the tournament.
But three sides still have a shot at winning the group.
Here are the clinching scenarios for Group F entering the second set of matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What are the Group F standings?
After Saturday’s two Group F matches, here are the current standings.
| Team | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 4 |
| Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 4 |
| Sweden | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
Thanks to goals scored (seven versus Japan’s six), the Netherlands is now at the top of the group.
What are the next Group F matches?
Two matches remain in Group F, set for June 25. All times listed are Eastern.
Saturday, June 20
Netherlands 5, Sweden 1
Sunday, June 21
Japan 4, Tunisia 0
Thursday, June 25
Tunisia vs. Netherlands, 7:00 p.m.
Japan vs. Sweden, 7:00 p.m.
What are the current scenarios for Group F?
Here are the scenarios ahead of the final day of matches, set for June 25. These scenarios involve automatic qualification for the Round of 32 as one of the top two teams in the group. Teams can still advance as a third-place team, and for more on those standings we have you covered here. In addition, teams that are “eliminated” are guaranteed to finish fourth in their group.
Netherlands
The Dutch will clinch the top spot in Group F, and a match against the second-place team in Group C, with a win against Tunisia, and a Japan draw or loss to Sweden. They can also clinch the top spot with a win against Tunisia, a Japan win against Sweden, and then a subsequent win over Japan in the tiebreakers. Finally, the Netherlands wins the group with a draw against Tunisia, a Japan draw against Sweden, and then a win over Japan in the tiebreakers. The Netherlands enjoys an advantage in the final tiebreaker, FIFA World Ranking, over Japan. For more information on the tiebreakers at the FIFA World Cup, you can read the final section of this story.
The Netherlands will finish second in the group if:
- They defeat Tunisia, Japan beats Sweden, and Japan wins the tiebreakers
- They draw against Tunisia, and Japan beats Sweden
- They draw with Tunisia, and Sweden beats Japan
- They draw with Tunisia, Japan draws against Sweden, and Japan wins the subsequent tiebreakers
- They lose to Tunisia, and Sweden loses or ties against Japan
- They lose to Tunisia, Japan loses to Sweden, and they win the subsequent tiebreakers against Japan
A final note, the Netherlands cannot be eliminated, and have a good chance to advance as a third place team even if they do not clinch a spot in the top two.
Japan
Japan wins Group F with a win over Sweden, and a Netherlands loss or tie against Tunisia. They can also win Group F with a win over Sweden, a Netherlands win against Tunisia, and a win over the Netherlands in the tiebreakers (remembering that the Netherlands is ranked higher than Japan, the final tiebreaker). Japan also wins Group F with a draw against Sweden and a Netherlands loss to Tunisia, and they also win Group F with a draw against Sweden, a Netherlands draw against Tunisia, and a win over the Netherlands in the tiebreakers.
The Samurai Blue will finish second with a win over Sweden, a Netherlands win over Tunisia, and a loss to the Netherlands in the tiebreakers. A draw against Sweden, and a Netherlands win against Tunisia, also sees Japan finish second in Group F. They will also finish second in the group with a draw against Sweden, a Netherlands draw against Tunisia, and a loss to the Netherlands in the tiebreakers. Japan will also finish second with a loss to Sweden, a Netherlands loss to Tunisia, and then a win over the Netherlands in the tiebreakers.
Similar to the Netherlands, Japan cannot finish fourth in Group F. If they miss out on the top two spots in Group F, they still have a good chance to advance to the Round of 32 as a third-place team.
Sweden
For Sweden, they will win Group F with a win against Japan, and a Netherlands loss or draw against Tunisia. They will finish second in Group F with a win against Japan, and a Netherlands win against Tunisia.
With Tunisia already eliminated, Sweden can still advance as a third-place team if they lose or draw against Japan.
Tunisia
Tunisia has already been eliminated.
What about tiebreakers in Group F?
Here is how tiebreakers work at the World Cup this year. If two or more teams in the same group are equal on points following the group stage, a three-step process will be followed to determine tiebreakers.
In the first step, the greatest number of points in the group matches between the tied teams will be applied. Then, the superior goal difference from the group matches between the tied teams will be applied, and finally, the greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the tied teams will be applied.
If that cannot determine a tiebreaker, then the teams that are still equal will advance to step two. In this stage, the first step is the goal difference in all group matches, then the greatest number of goals in all group matches, and finally the highest team conduct score (relating to yellow and red cards) will be applied.
If that does not break the tie, then the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.
That first step, which reads “greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned” according to FIFA, effectively turns into a head-to-head tiebreaker in the case of ties between two teams.
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