Can three-time World Cup runner-up the Netherlands lastly win soccer’s best prize?

The Dutch are one of many match’s nice almost males, having misplaced back-to-back finals in 1974 and ’78 after which once more in 2010.

The Netherlands has been drawn in opposition to Sweden, Japan and Tunisia in Group F.

They are going to be favorites to advance as group winners, however there are potential pitfalls — not least within the type of Japan, which surprised Germany and Spain on the 2022 World Cup.

The creators of so-called “whole soccer” within the Seventies, the Netherlands has at all times been straightforward on the attention, but it surely has by no means been sufficient to get it over the road at a World Cup.

Coach Ronald Koeman — in his second spell answerable for the nationwide staff — is hoping to finish his nation’s wait.

He gained main honors with the Netherlands as a participant when lifting the European Championship in 1988 and he was a runner-up within the Nations League in 2019 in his final spell in cost.

The Netherlands can name on Premier League stars like Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Tijjani Reijnders and Cody Gakpo, however maybe lacks a number of the top-tier expertise of earlier generations.

Japan is competing at its eighth straight World Cup and aiming to advance past the group stage for the third match in a row.

It was first staff to qualify for this 12 months’s occasion, apart from the three host nations, securing its place with three video games to spare.

It produced two of the most important upset on the final World Cup in Qatar when beating Germany and Spain within the group section, but it surely has by no means progressed past the spherical of 16.

Nearly all of Japan’s nationwide staff performs in Europe, together with Bayern Munich defender Hiroki Ito and Brighton ahead Kaoru Mitoma.

The Swedes superior by way of the again door — needing all the assistance they might get to make the playoffs.

Ending backside of its qualifying group after failing to win any video games, it was solely Sweden’s performances within the 2024-2025 Nations League that secured its place within the playoffs.

Below new coach Graham Potter, who was trying to revive his profession after being fired by Chelsea and West Ham lately, the Swedes overcame Ukraine and Poland within the playoffs to advance.

Sweden’s troubles in qualifying had been sudden contemplating it boasts two of Europe’s prime strikers in Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres.

Different prime gamers embrace Lucas Bergvall and Anthony Elanga.

Sweden, a runner-up in 1958, could have fond recollections of the USA, having reached the semifinals when the World Cup was final hosted by America in 1994.

Tunisia is aiming to advance from the group section for the primary time in its seventh look on the World Cup.

It got here near breaking that streak 4 years in the past in Qatar when ending third in its group by beating defending champion France 1-0 and drawing with Denmark.

Coach Sabri Lamouchi was employed to exchange Sami Trabelsi after Tunisia’s disappointing early exit from the African Cup of Nations on the spherical of 16 stage.

The 21-year-old Khalil Ayari joined Paris Saint-Germain this season and not too long ago made his breakthrough into the nationwide staff.

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AP World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup