The Netherlands take on Sweden in their second outing at the World Cup 2026 knowing that three points are crucial to their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.
The Dutch were twice pegged back in their opening encounter against Japan after goals from Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville were cancelled out by Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada. That meant Ronald Koeman’s side had to settle for a point and they come into this match sitting third in Group F.
At the top of the table are Sweden, the European nation managed by former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter. Having failed to win a single game in World Cup qualifying before managing to come through the play-offs due to their Nations League standings, the Swedes turned up at the tournament in blistering fashion.
They swept Tunisia aside 5-1 with prime strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both on the scoresheet. A draw would probably be enough to send them into the next round but victory would guarantee them a place in the last 32.
Follow all the action from Group F with our live blog below:
‘Someone scratched me, or bit me’: Potter’s bizarre celebration injury
Potter was jubilant after his Sweden side beat Tunisia but also appeared to have picked up an injury over the course of the match, as he was pictured bleeding from his right ear.
“I don’t know what happened. Someone scratched me, or bit me. I’ll have to analyse the video footage,” he joked, via Swedish publication Sportbladet.
How Netherlands stalled in opening game versus Japan
Japan twice came back from a goal down to secure a 2-2draw with the Netherlands last week, as Daichi Kamada’s 88th-minute deflection earned Hajime Moriyasu’s side a point at Dallas Stadium.
The game came to life after a tense opening 45 minutes, with Virgil van Dijk giving the Dutch the lead with a pinpoint header in the 51st minute before Keito Nakamura levelled six minutes later.
But while Crysencio Summerville looked to have won all three points for Ronald Koeman’s side with a curling strike in the 64th minute, Japan levelled when Kamada deflected Koki Ogawa’s powerful header into the net.
Full report:
State of play for Netherlands and Sweden
Group F standings, after one game played each:
1. Sweden (3 points, goal difference 4)
2. Japan (1 point, GD 0)
3. Netherlands (1 point, GD 0)
4. Tunisia (0 points, GD -4)
Netherlands vs Sweden: Welcome!
The Netherlands take on Sweden in their second outing at the World Cup 2026 knowing that three points are crucial to their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.
The Dutch were twice pegged back in their opening encounter against Japan after goals from Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville were cancelled out by Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada. That meant Ronald Koeman’s side had to settle for a point and they come into this match sitting third in Group F.
At the top of the table are Sweden, the European nation managed by former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter. Having failed to win a single game in World Cup qualifying before managing to come through the play-offs due to their Nations League standings, the Swedes turned up at the tournament in blistering fashion.
They swept Tunisia aside 5-1 with prime strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres both on the scoresheet. A draw would probably be enough to send them into the next round but victory would guarantee them a place in the last 32.
Follow all the action from Group F with our live blog.
