World Cup 2026 pages
Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group F
Tunisiavs
Netherlands
1–3
Full time · Thursday, June 25, 2026 · 7:00 p.m. ET · Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium), Kansas City, MO
Result
The Netherlands cruised past Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City to wrap up Group F, helped by Ellyes Skhiri's third-minute own goal and Brian Brobbey's early volley. Hazem Mastouri's header gave Tunisia brief hope before Jan Paul van Hecke restored the two-goal cushion, as the dominant Dutch racked up 20 shots against the winless Tunisians.
Tunisia 5-4-14-3-3 NetherlandsTunisiaSubstitutions
At this Stage
The Netherlands closed Group F the way group winners should: a controlled 3-1 over already-eliminated Tunisia in Kansas City — Skhiri's third-minute own goal, Brobbey's volley, Van Hecke restoring the cushion — for top spot on seven points, ten scored, no defeats. Japan's 1-1 with Sweden suited them fine: five points and second place send them through alongside the Dutch. That leaves Sweden, third on four with a goal difference of zero, holding the group's only open question — their best-third case now rests entirely on other groups' results. Tunisia finish without a point, though Mastouri's header at least sent them home with a goal and a moment. From a nervy opening 2-2, Koeman's side built the one campaign in this group that never needed rescuing.
Group F
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | +6 | 7 |
 Japan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | +4 | 5 |
 Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 4 |
| Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -10 | 0 |
Top two (above the accent line) advance to the round of 32; the third-placed team is in the race for one of the eight best-third spots.
What we know now
Venue: Kansas City Stadium
Attendance: 68,391
Watch: FOX in English (free over the air, or stream on Fox One) and Telemundo in Spanish (stream on Peacock); the free Tubi simulcast carries Telemundo's Spanish feed.
What I said beforehand
The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.
Netherlands to win. Ronald Koeman's side were ruthless in a 5-1 demolition of Sweden and a win here all but guarantees top spot in Group F, with the depth and quality to handle a Tunisia team already eliminated after defeats to Sweden and Japan. Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch should dominate midfield, and Cody Gakpo offers a constant threat. Tunisia, playing only for pride, will dig in for Sabri Lamouchi, but the gulf in quality is wide. 3-0 Netherlands.
My locked pick: Netherlands win ✓ RIGHT
“The Netherlands (four points, +4) are the class of Group F and a win all but guarantees top spot, while Tunisia are already eliminated on zero points after defeats to Sweden and Japan. The Netherlands to win.”
Locked 2026-06-24 10:01 UTC — rendered verbatim from the pick ledger; never a fresher, hedged version
The case for Tunisia
17% to winTunisia have nothing left to play for but pride, and that can be liberating: with the pressure off, Sabri Lamouchi's side can throw caution aside, lean on the experience of Ellyes Skhiri and Hannibal Mejbri and try to sign off with a performance. A disciplined block and a set-piece or two against a Dutch side that may rotate could earn the Eagles of Carthage a consolation result.
The case for Netherlands
60% to winThe Netherlands found their rhythm against Sweden and look a different side with De Jong pulling the strings and Gakpo and Brobbey carrying the threat. Top spot — and the kinder half of the bracket that can come with it — is the prize, so Koeman will want a professional job. Against an eliminated opponent, the Dutch class should produce a comfortable, group-winning win.
Both cases written 2026-06-24, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 23% belongs to the draw.
Storylines
- A win secures top spot in Group F for the Netherlands; Tunisia are already eliminated and playing only for pride.
- The Netherlands thrashed Sweden 5-1 on matchday two to revive their campaign after an opening draw with Japan.
- Tunisia have lost both games, conceding nine goals across defeats to Sweden and Japan.
- Played in the open air at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City for the evening kickoff.
The coaches
Sabri Lamouchi Tunisia
The French-born former Ivory Coast coach has Tunisia organised and combative, though two heavy defeats have already ended their campaign.
Ronald Koeman Netherlands
Back for a second spell, he has the Netherlands playing on the front foot in a 4-3-3 built around De Jong and Gakpo.
Availability
| Brian Brobbey | Doubt — carrying a knock after the Sweden win, though expected to keep his place leading the line | Sports Mole / Squawka |
| Memphis Depay | Doubt — still working back to full fitness after a thigh problem; Quinten Timber back in contention after concussion | Sports Mole |
| Squad | No fresh injury concerns; Lamouchi has a full squad and may switch shape for the dead rubber | Sports Mole |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Weather: Open-air at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City for the evening kickoff — hot, humid Midwestern summer conditions. (NWS Kansas City seasonal climatology (specific forecast not yet cleanly available), as of 2026-06-24)
Venue: Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium), Kansas City, MO, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.