With just over two weeks to wait now, World Cup 2026 fever is beginning to sweep the planet, and the greatest teams with the best players are ready to light up Stadiums throughout North America and Mexico.
One of the best balanced and most competitive World Cup groups, F comprises the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia and that’s a group which promises to throw up plenty of compelling duels. While the other groups have giant-killing possibilities, Group E sees Curacao meet Germany, for example, these four nations in Group F are separated by just 37 places in the FIFA World rankings so there will be no foregone conclusions, no outright favourites in any of the group games; every match will be a contest.
Netherlands are the highest ranked nation in seventh place with and Tunisia in 44th, and Japan 18th with Sweden in 38th.
The SBOTOP World Cup 2026 betting odds say the winner is unlikely to come from Group F, but there is little doubt every one of the four nations will fancy their chances of a knockout place after the group business is done. So, let’s look at three of the players who can make the difference.
Tijjani Reijnders: Netherlands
The Oranje are comfortably the highest ranked team in the group and have a world class defence marshalled by Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and with Stefan De Vrij, Nathan Ake and Micky van de Ven in the group. And the creative unit has the likes of Roma’s Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo in its number. But the player I’m looking forward to seeing is Manchester City star Tijjani Reijdners, who burst onto the Premier League scene last August with some classy displays which drew comparisons with the great Kevin De Bruyne.
The 27 year old was overshadowed a little by another Sky Blue summer recruit, Rayan Cherki, who had an outstanding second half of the campaign, and Reijnders has been linked with a move to Serie A giants Juventus. He may welcome a return to Italy where he starred for AC Milan, but, following the announced departure of manager Pep Guardiola, he may wait to see who arrives in the managers room at the Etihad Stadium. In the meantime, expect the Dutch master to produce some magic moments in Texas.
Ritsu Doan: Japan
Another star I expect to make some spectacular World Cup 2026 highlights is Eintracht Frankfurt’s attacking midfielder Ritsu Doan, who announced himself at the 2022 World Cup with a late goal in Japan’s 2-1 comeback win over Germany. Now 27 he is in the prime of his career and, predominantly a right sided player able to operate on the wing, Doan has a good scoring record, with 11 goals in 64 caps for Japan and 22 in 97 games for SC Freiburg before his headline grabbing move to Frankfurt last summer.
The Samurai Blue is at its eighth successive World Cup finals and has been flying the flag for Asia for decades; and hoards of fans tuned up to watch a warm up session this week, hoping to catch a glimpse of Doan, along with Eredevisie top scorer Ayase Uda, who bagged 25 goals for Feyenoord this season.
Japan are always worth a watch and with Doan providing the ammunition they have won five consecutive warm up games, including a 1-0 victory over England last time out.
Alexander Isak: Sweden
Graham Potter’s Sweden will be a slightly different proposition from the nations’ sides of old, which have been characterised by a rock like mentality and stiff resistance in the face of more attacking teams. But, while the Swedes do have some quality defenders, captained by Aston Villa’s Victor Lindelof, there is a vibrant front line, with Newcastle United winer Anthony Elanga and Arsenal hitman Viktor Gyokeres set to take starting berths. And this could be a big tournament for Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, who has suffered an injury ravaged season since his £125m move from Newcastle to Anfield.
He has struggled to recover from a broken leg and, after making a long awaited return, Isak was a surprise omission from Liverpool’s squad to meet Aston Villa last week, but Arne Slot says this was precautionary and he was not prepared to take a risk, which Potter will have appreciated. There is certainly a superb striker in Isak; he scored 54 in 86 games for the Magpies and has 16 in 56 appearances for Sweden. A strong runner with a lethal finish, if Isak stays fit he could form a hugely productive partnership with Gyokeres, if Potter is willing to play a 4-4-2.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
