Onto Group F we go at the 2026 World Cup in what is an exciting three-way battle for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, which could even see each of the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden progress.
However, Tunisia’s hopes were extinguished following back-to-back defeats, in between which they sacked their manager.
The final Group F matches take place on Thursday at midnight (UK time) with Japan taking on Sweden in Arlington, and Tunisia playing for pride against group leaders Netherlands in Kansas City.
Here are the key World Cup 2026 stats ahead of the two games.
Key stats in Group F
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Tunisia vs Netherlands
- Tunisia key stat: If Tunisia lose they will equal Cameroon’s African record of most World Cup defeats (13).
- Netherlands key stat: Cody Gakpo needs only two more goals to become Netherlands’ joint top scorer in major tournaments (10 goals) and joint top-scorer at the World Cup (seven goals).
The Netherlands are in a great position to progress through to the knockout stages, something they’ve done in all 11 of their previous 11 World Cup appearances.
A win over Tunisia will secure them top spot in the table as they bid to extend their unbeaten run in World Cup matches – excluding penalty shoot-outs – to 14, while they can go 19 group stage games unbeaten dating back to 1994.
Only Germany (nine) scored more goals than the Netherlands (seven) in the first two matchdays. Brian Brobbey, Crysencio Summerville, and Cody Gakpo have each scored two goals for the Dutch at this tournament.
Gakpo has now scored eight goals in 12 games at major tournaments for the Oranje, third behind only Dennis Bergkamp (10) and Robin van Persie (eight). Five of these goals have come in World Cups, putting him joint-third in the Dutch rankings. The Liverpool winger now needs just one more goal to draw level on six World Cup goals alongisde Wesley Sneijder, Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben, Dennis Bergkamp, and Rob Rensenbrink – and two goals to draw level with record-holder Johnny Rep on seven.
Meanwhile, if Gakpo does score against Tunisia he will surpass Robin van Persie (five goals) as the country’s top goalscorer in the World Cup group stages.
As for Tunisia, they have been eliminated, conceded the most goals (nine) across the first two matchdays, and scored just once themselves.
If they do lose again, not only will they bow out with zero points, but they would equal Cameroon’s African record of most World Cup defeats (13).
Japan vs Sweden
- Japan key stat: Samurai Blue could become only the second Asian country to string together a five game unbeaten World Cup run after South Korea (six games).
- Sweden key stat: Alexander Isak has four goal involvements in two games this tournament, including a joint-high three assists.
Japan are in second place on four points, followed by Sweden in third on three points, setting up a tasty duel in Arlington.
Japan are bidding to go unbeaten in the group stages for only the second time, and first since they co-hosted the World Cup 24 years ago. Should the Samurai Blue avoid defeat to Sweden, they will have gone five games unbeaten in World Cup games – excluding penalty shoot-outs – in the process becoming the second Asian side to string together such a run after South Korea, who previously went six games unbeaten.
The Japanese trio of Ayase Ueda, Daichi Kamada, and Ritsu Doan all have two goals on their name at World Cups – Ueda and Kamada’s goals have both been scored at this edition – meaning they are all chasing down the country’s record World Cup goalscorer Keisuke Honda, who leads the way on four goals; scored across 2010, 2014, and 2018.
Sweden’s start to their latest World Cup venture has been somewhat bewildering. Graham Potter’s troops have traded a 5-1 win over Tunisia in their opener, with a subsequent 5-1 loss to the Netherlands.
The Blue and Yellow will look to Alexander Isak to continue his fine form, having contributed four goal involvements in two games. The Liverpool star is joint top of the assists charts (three), while he has also been on the scoresheet.
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