Japan set up Brazil blockbuster in knockouts; Netherlands, Sweden also qualify through Group F

The latest games at the FIFA World Cup 2026 saw the Netherlands cruise into the knockout stage as Group F winners with a strong 3-1 win over Tunisia, while Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw in a high-pressure clash that sent both teams through to the Round of 32.

Japan finished second in Group F and will now face Brazil in a blockbuster knockout clash in Houston next week.

Netherlands breeze past Tunisia to top Group F

The Netherlands breezed into the World Cup knockouts as Group F winners with a commanding 3-1 victory over Tunisia on a rain-soaked Thursday, capitalising on another poor display from their hapless opponents to set up a Round of 32 clash with Morocco.

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A thunderstorm warning cleared just in time for kickoff but there was no delay to the Dutch on the pitch, who made the fastest start to a World Cup match since 2002 when they seized a 2-0 lead in just over six minutes.

The North Africans' captain Ellyes Skhiri inadvertently turned a cross into his own net in the third minute, before Brian Brobbey grabbed his third goal of the tournament.

Tunisia briefly threatened a comeback when Hazem Mastouri scored in the 54th minute, but Jan Paul van Hecke quickly restored the Dutch cushion.

The Netherlands capitalised on another error-strewn display from Tunisia, whose calamitous tournament came to a fitting end after heavy defeats to Japan and Sweden and a coach change between their first two matches.

Some of the more than 68,000 fans in attendance left the stadium before the final whistle with the result beyond doubt, as heavy rain and the weather alert did little to disrupt the match or dampen their enthusiasm.

Emotinal scenes as Japan and Sweden reach knockouts

In another crucial Group F clash, Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw in a match that sent both sides into the knockout rounds.

Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead and Anthony Elanga took it away six minutes later, giving Sweden a 1-1 draw Thursday night that sent both teams to the knockout round of the World Cup.

Japan is advancing out of the group stage for the third consecutive World Cup and fifth time in seven tries since first reaching the round of 16 as co-hosts in 2002.

After the final whistle, Japanese fans once again stole the spotlight with emotional celebrations across stadiums and cities.

In a heartwarming moment, Japanese fans were once again seen cleaning up the stadium after the match, continuing a tradition that has earned worldwide respect.

The Swedes have advanced to the knockout round the past four times they have qualified for the World Cup going back to 1994, when they reached the semifinals the last time the US hosted football's biggest event.

Former NBA star Dirk Nowitzki was also spotted attending the match, adding to the global attention around the fixture.

(With agency inputs)