Netherlands continue their 2026 World Cup campaign when they come against Sweden on Saturday 20 June at 6pm (UK time).
Netherlands sit third in Group F after dropping two points in a 2-2 draw with Japan on Matchday One. Koeman’s side led twice but twice surrendered their advantage – a defensive fragility that will concern the Dutch ahead of a considerably tougher examination in Houston. They cannot afford to drop further points.
Sweden top Group F after a stunning 5-1 opening win over Tunisia, with Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak both on the scoresheet. Graham Potter’s side arrive in Houston full of confidence and in the driving seat – a second consecutive win here would effectively seal their place in the knockout round before the final group game.
The two sides have met 25 times across their history, with the Netherlands holding the stronger overall record. The most recent competitive encounter came in World Cup qualifying in October 2017, when the Dutch won 2-0 at home.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Netherlands team news
Netherlands team news
Koeman faces real questions after his side twice surrendered the lead against Japan.
The Dutch were too passive and too focused on sitting on their lead – allowing Japan to grow into the game and find two equalisers. Changes look likely in attack. Donyell Malen’s sensational form for Roma – 13 goals and two assists from 16 Serie A starts – puts him in strong contention to lead the line. Cody Gakpo should retain his place on the left but Noa Lang is pushing for a starting role on the right.
Tijjani Reijnders looks set to operate as the number ten, with Frenkie de Jong back fit to partner Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper midfield role. The back four looks unchanged, with Van Dijk and Micky van de Ven lining up in defence again. No significant injuries or suspensions affect the Dutch squad heading into this fixture.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Sweden team news
Potter has a selection headache of the most enjoyable kind – how do you change a team that just won 5-1? The answer is: you probably don’t.
Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak both scored against Tunisia and look certain to continue as Sweden’s devastating strike partnership in Houston. Yasin Ayari scored twice against Tunisia and will retain his starting role in the midfield three alongside Jesper Karlstrom and Mattias Svanberg. Anthony Elanga provides the wide threat from the right, with Gabriel Gudmundsson supporting from left-back throughout.
Victor Lindelöf captains the side and should continue alongside Isak Hien at the heart of defence. No significant suspensions or injuries affect the Sweden squad ahead of this Matchday Two fixture – a clean bill of health that gives Potter the luxury of picking his strongest possible side for the biggest game of Sweden’s tournament so far.
Netherlands vs Sweden predicted lineups
Netherlands (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Van de Ven; Gravenberch, De Jong; Summerville, Reijnders, Gakpo; Malen.
Sweden (4-3-3): Johansson; Gudmundsson, Hien, Lindelöf, Ekdal; Bergvall, Karlstrom, Svanberg; Elanga, Gyökeres, Isak.
Read more: