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Arun - June 20, 2026
Group F takes centre stage at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday as the Netherlands and Sweden meet in what is shaping up to be one of the standout fixtures of the second matchday.
Sweden sit top on three points after their stunning 5-1 demolition of Tunisia, while the Netherlands are third on one point after being pegged back twice by Japan in a 2-2 draw.
The Dutch need a win here to keep their qualification destiny in their own hands, and those who have backed them in our Netherlands vs Sweden prediction will have a keen interest in how both sides line up.
Ronald Koeman has no injuries or suspensions to contend with heading into this match. Two pre-tournament absentees remain out: Xavi Simons, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April, and Jurrien Timber, who missed Arsenal’s run-in with a groin injury and was replaced in the squad by Lutsharel Geertruida. Quinten Timber, Jurrien’s twin brother, is also unavailable after suffering a concussion in training during the tournament.
Bart Verbruggen shook off a minor injury concern to start against Japan and continues in goal. The back four is expected to be unchanged, with Micky van de Ven and Virgil van Dijk as the central defensive partnership and Denzel Dumfries at right-back. Jan Paul van Hecke continues at left-back.
Koeman came under some criticism after the Japan draw for his substitutions in the closing stages, notably replacing Ryan Gravenberch with defender Nathan Ake, which invited the pressure that led to Daichi Kamada’s 89th-minute equaliser.
Frenkie de Jong, Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders are expected to continue as the midfield three. The main question is in attack, where Donyell Malen was largely ineffective against Japan.
Koeman may be tempted to bring in the experienced Memphis Depay in Malen’s place after the Dutch looked blunt in the final third. Cody Gakpo and Crysencio Summerville, who scored against Japan, are nailed on to start. Teun Koopmeiners and Justin Kluivert provide further options off the bench.
Formation: 4-3-3
GK: Bart Verbruggen
Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Virgil van Dijk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven
Midfield: Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders
Forwards: Crysencio Summerville, Donyell Malen / Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo
Graham Potter has no confirmed injuries or suspensions and is expected to name the same starting eleven that tore Tunisia apart.
The one note of caution is Alexander Isak, who was spotted training alone during the week as Sweden manage his workload following the leg injury that forced him to miss the playoff matches earlier in the year. He played 84 minutes against Tunisia and is expected to start here, but Potter will be keeping a close eye on him throughout.
Gabriel Gudmundsson dealt with cramps after the Tunisia game but has recovered and is expected to start at left wing-back. Kristoffer Nordfeldt continues in goal after a commanding display in the opener.
The back three of Isak Hien, Gustaf Lagerbielke and captain Victor Lindelof is unchanged. Alexander Bernhardsson operates as the right wing-back, with the midfield three of Yasin Ayari, Jesper Karlstrom and Benjamin Nygren retained.
Ayari was the standout individual performance against Tunisia, scoring twice and controlling the tempo in central midfield. Potter is unlikely to change a system that produced five goals and Sweden’s second biggest World Cup victory in history. Anthony Elanga, despite his Premier League pedigree with Newcastle United, is expected to remain on the bench.
Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak continue as the strike partnership, and both carry a genuine goal threat that will test a Dutch defence that already conceded twice to Japan.
A Sweden win here would seal their place in the knockout rounds regardless of what happens in the concurrent Tunisia vs Japan fixture. For all our World Cup 2026 tips and predictions throughout the tournament, head to the hub.
Formation: 3-5-2
GK: Kristoffer Nordfeldt
Defenders: Isak Hien, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelof
Wing-backs: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Alexander Bernhardsson
Midfield: Yasin Ayari, Jesper Karlstrom, Benjamin Nygren
Forwards: Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak
