Group F at the 2026 World Cup features the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and Sweden in a 12-group group stage format, according to ESPN. The quartet brings a mix of deep World Cup history and recent continuity into the tournament.
Netherlands enter ranked seventh by FIFA with 12 total World Cup appearances (1934, 1938, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2026) and two consecutive appearances (2022, 2026). The Dutch best finish is runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010. Their overall World Cup record stands at 30-14-11. Johnny Rep is the nation’s top scorer with seven goals; Johan Neeskens (1974), Rob Rensenbrink (1978) and Wesley Sneijder (2010) each scored five in a single tournament. Giovanni van Bronckhorst (35 years, 151 days) is the oldest Dutch scorer; Memphis Depay (20 years, 25 days) the youngest. The Netherlands hold the record for most World Cup finals played without a win.
Japan, nicknamed Samurai Blue, are 18th in the FIFA rankings and mark their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance (1998–2026). Their best result is the Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022) and their overall World Cup record is 7-6-12. Keisuke Honda is Japan’s top scorer with four goals; tournament top scorers with two goals include Junichi Inamoto (2002), Keisuke Honda (2010), Takashi Inui (2018) and Ritsu Doan (2022). Keisuke Honda is also listed as Japan’s oldest World Cup scorer (32 years, 11 days); Junichi Inamoto is the youngest (22 years, 259 days). Japan have won the most AFC Asian Cups (four) and are tied with South Korea for the most men’s World Cup victories by an Asian country with seven.
Tunisia, the Eagles of Carthage, are 44th in the FIFA rankings with seven World Cup appearances (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022, 2026) and three consecutive appearances (2018–2026). Their best finish remains the group stage. Tunisia’s World Cup record is 3-5-10. Wahbi Khazri is the team’s top scorer with three goals and led Tunisia in 2018 with two goals. Raouf Bouzaiene (31 years, 298 days) is the oldest Tunisian scorer; Dylan Bronn (23 years, four days) the youngest. Tunisia became the first African team to win a World Cup match, defeating Mexico 3-1 in 1978.
Sweden, nicknamed Blågult, are 38th in the FIFA rankings and make their 13th World Cup appearance (1934, 1938, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2026). Their best finish is runners-up in 1958 and their overall record is 19-13-19. Kennet Anderson and Henrik Larsson are Sweden’s top scorers with five goals; Kennet Anderson also scored five in a single tournament (1994). Gunnar Gren (37 years, 236 days) is the oldest Swedish scorer; Tomas Brolin (20 years, 193 days) the youngest. In 1938 Sweden beat Cuba 8-0, with Harry Andersson and Gustav Wetterstrom becoming the only teammates to each score a hat-trick in a men’s World Cup match.
For additional World Cup news, stats and scores, see the ESPN World Cup hub, according to ESPN.
