The Dutch national team’s new attempt to reach the World Cup, now under Ronald Koeman’s direction, faces a complicated first phase, in which they will have to face an emerging Japanese team and two other difficult opponents, Sweden and Tunisia, ready to fight for a place in the Round of 16.
Triple World Cup runners-up (1974, 78 and 2010), the Netherlands have advanced beyond the group stage every time they have participated since 1974 (8), but have always lacked the final push to be crowned.
Clockwork Orange wants to shine again
Their game has not come close to the total soccer that surprised the world with Rinus Michels on the bench and Johan Cruyff on the field and has been losing luster.
Despite having players like Van Basten, Gullit, RIjkaard, Bergkamp, Van Persie or Robben…they always missed something at the last minute.
At Qatar 2022, they lost in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals to Argentina.
The win came thanks to a thrilling comeback in the final minutes, when they were trailing 0-2.
It was the match of Messi’s ‘what are you looking at, go over there’ to Wout Weghorst, while being interviewed after the match.
In their twelfth World Cup attempt, the Netherlands have gained stability under Ronald Koeman.
With a backbone of Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo.
They qualified with a clear idea; they drew their two matches against Poland (both 1-1) and beat Finland, Malta and Lithuania, scoring 25 goals in the process.
It is the favorite of the group, but starts with a hard touchstone:
A Japanese team that is confident of its chances (Filed under: Group F World Cup 2026).
Japan wants to make the final leap
The Blue Samurai have always been blamed for a certain innocence when it comes to competing, with the loss to Belgium at Russia 2018 as an example.
Then, they went for the win in the last minute, instead of saving the ball to reach extra time, leading to a Belgian counter-attack and their elimination in the Round of 16.
But that has changed.
At Qatar 2022, they were already able to defeat Germany and Spain, before losing in a penalty shootout against Croatia.
In the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, they have defeated Brazil (3-2) and England (0-1) and their coach, Hakime Moriyasu, makes no secret of his ambition:
“Japan’s goal is to win the title,” he assures (Filed under: Group F World Cup 2026).
Sweden relies on the power of its attack
Sweden, who rebounded to the World Cup because they played in the play-offs by topping their Nations League group, earned their place thanks to the effectiveness of Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres.
He scored 3 goals against Ukraine and another against Poland in the playoffs.
Alongside the ‘Gunner’ attacker, Sweden is waiting for Alexander Isak, the most expensive player in the Premier League.
His impact at Liverpool, weighed down by injuries, has been less than expected (Filed as: Group F World Cup 2026).
Tight defense drives Tunisia forward
Who will advance to the next round?
QuéOnnda.com
Tunisia, who will be playing in their third consecutive finals, can make life difficult for any opponent in the group.
Despite their disappointing Africa Cup of Nations, which led to the replacement of Sami Trabelsi by Sabri Lamouchi, they arrive at the World Cup having won 9 of their 10 qualifying matches.
In which they did not concede a goal (Filed under: Group F World Cup 2026).
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com