Netherlands, Japan and Sweden qualify for World Cup round of 32

Netherlands, Japan and Sweden qualify for World Cup round of 32

The final matchday of Group F in the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on Thursday, confirming that the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden have all advanced to the knockout stages. The results leave Tunisia as the only team in the group headed home.

The Netherlands secured the top spot in Group F after a 3-1 victory over Tunisia at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Dutch side dominated the first half, controlling more than 70% of the ball and recording 12 shots. The scoring opened in the third minute when Tunisia captain Ellys Skhiri inadvertently scored an own goal. Brian Brobbey followed in the seventh minute, chipping the ball past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen after a header from Virgil van Dijk.

Tunisia attempted a comeback in the 54th minute when Hazem Mastouri scored a header from a corner. However, the Netherlands restored their two-goal lead in the 62nd minute through a Jan Paul van Hecke header that deflected off Anis Slimane and into the net. The match was played under a second-half downpour, following a brief lightning delay that affected the pre-game fanwalk.

While the Netherlands showed strength with goals from Brobbey and Cody Gakpo throughout the group stage, including a 5-1 rout of Sweden, their path now leads to a Round of 32 matchup against Morocco, the runner-up of Group C, on Monday.

Simultaneously in Arlington, Texas, Japan and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw. Japan took an early lead when Daizen Maeda beat Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with a right-footed shot following a pass from Ritsu Doan. Sweden equalized in the 62nd minute through a left-footed strike from Anthony Elanga. Elanga's goal was the sixth Swedish goal of the tournament scored by Premier League players and the 39th overall by Premier League players in the 2026 edition.

Japan's goal brought their tournament total to seven, the most the nation has ever scored in a single World Cup. Despite the draw, Japan finished second in the group and is scheduled to face Brazil in Houston on Monday. Sweden also advanced, continuing a streak of reaching the knockout rounds in the last four tournaments they qualified for, dating back to 1994. However, unlike the Netherlands and Japan, Sweden must wait for the final group stage standings to determine their opponent via the best third-place teams table.

The 2026 tournament features a record 48 teams. Under the current format, the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams progress to the Round of 32.

Tunisia's exit follows a disastrous campaign that began with a 5-1 loss to Sweden, resulting in the firing of coach Sabri Lamouchi. Despite the appointment of French coach Herve Renard and a subsequent 4-0 loss to Japan, the "Eagles of Carthage" could not find a way back into contention.

Other results from Thursday's finales included:

• Group D: Australia and Paraguay played to a 0-0 draw. Australia clinched a spot in the knockouts and will play the Group G runner-up on July 3 in Arlington, Texas. Paraguay is likely to advance based on their four points. In another Group D match, Turkey defeated the United States 3-2 via a stoppage-time goal by Kaan Ayhan.
• Group E: Ivory Coast advanced for the first time in their history after a 2-0 win over Curaçao, with Nicolas Pépé scoring both goals. Ivory Coast will play France or Norway on June 30. In another Group E game, Ecuador advanced after a 2-1 upset of group winner Germany, with Gonzalo Plata scoring the decisive goal.