Netherlands and Japan Advance to Knockout Stage of FIFA World Cup 2026

Kathmandu. In the final matches of Group F of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Netherlands advanced to the knockout stage (last 32) as group winners and Japan as runners-up. Sweden, who drew 1-1 with Japan, also managed to secure a place in the last 32 as one of the best eight third-placed teams.

Japan and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw at Dallas Stadium. Daichi Maeda scored in the 56th minute, giving Japan the lead from Ritsu Doan's pass, after the first half ended goalless.

However, in the 62nd minute, Anthony Elanga scored with the help of Viktor Gyökeres, bringing Sweden back into the game. After that, both teams tried for a winning goal, but no further goals were scored, and the match ended in a draw.

Meanwhile, in another match at Kansas City Stadium, Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3-1 to secure the top spot in the group. With this victory, the Netherlands has advanced to the knockout stage as group winners and will now compete against Morocco.

Tunisia's World Cup journey was extremely disappointing. The team finished the competition with zero points, losing all three matches. In the group stage, Tunisia scored only two goals while conceding 12.