Group F

Ronald Koeman's Netherlands have been among the more consistent performers in European football over the past two years, but the Simons loss is a genuine blow to their creative depth. The system must now rely more heavily on Cody Gakpo's ability to replicate his 2022 World Cup form — that tournament he was outstanding — and on Tijjani Reijnders to provide the midfield creativity Simons would have supplied.

Captain Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) remains the absolute immovable object at the back — one of the finest defenders in the history of the position, at the peak of his authority and experience. Around him, Netherlands have genuine defensive depth: van de Ven, Aké, Dumfries, and the Timber brothers provide Koeman with multiple reliable options. The squad's depth is genuinely their biggest tournament strength, per their own goalkeeper Verbruggen. Netherlands will not crumble without Simons. They will be significantly less threatening going forward.

Japan must recalibrate without their most dangerous wide player, and coach Moriyasu Hajime has options — but none of them are Mitoma. The system pivots toward Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), who becomes Japan's primary creative outlet. Kubo is genuinely world-class on his day — one of the most technically refined wingers in La Liga — and the World Cup is his opportunity to announce himself to a global audience who may not yet know his name. Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord) leads the attack after finishing the 2025-26 Eredivisie season as top scorer with 25 goals — 16 international goals in 38 caps make him Japan's most reliable finisher. Wataru Endo (Liverpool) anchors the midfield.

Japan's tactical system — Moriyasu's three-at-the-back, high-pressing structure — does not depend on any single player. They have beaten Germany and Spain at a World Cup in the same tournament. They press relentlessly, transition at speed, and create chaos for sides who are tactically underprepared. Without Mitoma, the press has slightly less pace in the wide areas. The system still works.

Graham Potter has taken a Sweden squad with two world-class strikers and built a system designed to maximise their threat while providing the defensive structure a World Cup demands. The combination of Alexander Isak (Liverpool) and Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) is the most feared striking partnership in Group F — and arguably among the top three in the entire tournament.

Isak completed his move to Liverpool from Newcastle and arrives as one of the Premier League's finest forwards — technically elegant, intelligent in movement, and capable of goals from any position. Gyökeres made his long-anticipated move to Arsenal from Sporting CP and has not slowed down at all — 40+ goals at Sporting became 40+ goals at Arsenal, and his physical presence combined with his clinical finishing makes him a nightmare for any defensive setup. Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham) provides creative midfield quality for a 21-year-old — the youngest but most gifted player in a well-balanced squad.

This is Tunisia's seventh World Cup appearance — a fact that speaks to the structural competence of their football programme even when the results at the tournament itself have been modest. Tunisia are organised, disciplined, and capable of making opponents work for every goal. They will not beat Netherlands or Sweden. They will make Japan considerably more uncomfortable than Japan would prefer on a Matchday 3 with qualification implications still potentially live.

Hannibal Mejbri (PSG) is Tunisia's most exciting player — a technically gifted midfielder operating at one of Europe's elite clubs, whose creative quality brings a different dimension to a squad that might otherwise be defined primarily by defensive organisation. Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt) provides Bundesliga-tested midfield quality and work rate. Tunisia's experience — their seventh World Cup — means they will not be panicked by the occasion.