World Cup Hero
Predict the 2026 World Cup your way
Netherlands and Sweden share Group F at the 2026 World Cup and meet in the group stage. Both sides are fighting to reach the knockouts. On the FIFA ranking, Netherlands are the favourite — a 25-place gap.
Netherlands - Sweden will be played on Monday 29th June 2026 at 19:00 ET in Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston). ⏳ Date subject to confirmation.
| Netherlands 🇳🇱 | Metric | 🇸🇪 Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| #7 | FIFA Ranking | #32 |
| Group F | Group | Group F |
| UEFA | Confederation | UEFA |
| Ronald Koeman | Head coach | Jon Dahl Tomasson |
| 12 | WC appearances | 13 |
| Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010) | Best WC | Runner-up (1958) |
The Netherlands enter the World Cup as a stealth contender — not among the absolute favourites, but dangerous to anyone they meet. Van Dijk is the spine, the gear-shift comes from Xavi Simons and Gakpo, and Frenkie de Jong dictates the midfield when fit. Koeman's biggest headache: who scores the goals if Depay can't last the tournament? In Group F, Japan is a dangerous number two — that team beat both Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup. Historically, the Oranje overperform their FIFA ranking at World Cups; a semi-final is realistic, and a fourth lost final would be painfully fitting.
Sweden have rebuilt after the Ibrahimović era. With Isak (Newcastle) and Gyökeres (Arsenal), they have two world-class strikers. Qualifying was scrappy, but in a tournament where physicality and aerial threat matter, Sweden can be dangerous. Round of 16 is the ceiling; surviving the group is the goal.
Set your 10 sliders and decide which teams win according to your model — including this group-stage match.
Start predicting →Yes — Netherlands and Sweden meet in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup (Group F).
On the FIFA world ranking, Netherlands (#7) are favoured over Sweden (#32). The gap is 25 ranking places.
Netherlands: Runner-up (1974, 1978, 2010) (12 World Cup appearances). Sweden: Runner-up (1958) (13 World Cup appearances).
Netherlands are coached by Ronald Koeman. Sweden are coached by Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Netherlands play in Group F. Sweden play in Group F.
Last updated: 2026-06-07