World Cup 26 draw complete – Japan in a “challenging Group F” with Netherlands and Tunisia
The draw for the FIFA World Cup 26, to be held in North and Central America in 2026, took place on 5 December (local time). The SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) were drawn into Group F alongside Netherlands, the UEFA play-off path B winner and Tunisia. Surrounded by a European powerhouse and a tricky African opponent, Japan face what can fairly be called a “challenging group” as they chase a fifth straight appearance in the knockout stage and their long-awaited first quarter-final.
After the draw, head coach Hajime Moriyasu commented: “It’s a very tough group, but we want to demonstrate our growth while respecting every opponent.” With the experience of beating Germany and Spain at the previous World Cup in Qatar, the question is whether Japan can once again shock the world – this time from a group in which every match will be a serious test.
Group F at a glance – where Japan stand
Composition of Group F and each team’s basic profile:
| Position | Team | Confederation | Main achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Netherlands | UEFA | Three-time World Cup runners-up; one of Europe’s most attack-minded traditional powers. |
| F2 | Japan | AFC | Eight consecutive World Cup appearances; back-to-back round of 16 finishes. |
| F3 | UEFA play-off B winner | UEFA | One of Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania. |
| F4 | Tunisia | CAF | Sixth World Cup appearance; a well-organised North African side. |
The UEFA play-off B will be contested by Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Albania. On paper, the general perception is “Netherlands as favourites to top the group, with Japan, the play-off winner and Tunisia battling for second place.” At the same time, Japan’s wins over Germany and Spain in Qatar have already shown that they can unsettle and defeat European giants.
Japan’s all-time record against European opposition in A matches stands at 38 wins, 24 draws and 56 losses in 118 games (as of November 2025). It is still a losing record, but the number of wins against top-tier nations has increased in recent years, and Japan are evolving into a side that can “finish the job” against higher-ranked opponents.
Netherlands vs Japan – lessons from past meetings
The headline clash in Group F is expected to be the match against Netherlands, one of the tournament favourites. Japan have faced the Dutch three times in A matches, with a record of 0 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses (2 goals scored, 6 conceded).
At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Japan lost 0–1 in the group stage after conceding a powerful shot from Wesley Sneijder early in the second half. Japan defended stubbornly for long spells but were punished for a brief lapse in concentration.
In a 2013 international friendly, Japan came from 0–2 down to draw 2–2 thanks to goals from Keisuke Honda and Yuya Osako. That match is remembered as a positive example of Japan “keeping the ball and taking back the initiative” even after falling behind.
The current Dutch side combine their traditional possession-based football with speed in transition and strong individual quality. For Japan, simply dropping deep will not be enough. They will need to mix front-foot pressing with calm passing between the lines and aim to be competitive in the battle for control of the ball.
Tunisia – special opponent with good and bitter memories
Tunisia are a particularly memorable opponent for Japan. At the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea, Japan beat Tunisia 2–0 in their final group match to reach the last 16 of a World Cup for the first time. However, in the 2022 Kirin Cup final, Japan were beaten 0–3, a painful reminder of how dangerous North African teams can be.
Japan’s all-time record against Tunisia is 5 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss. The numbers suggest a clear advantage, but two of the last four meetings have been a 0–3 defeat and a 2–0 win. Tunisia’s style – compact defending and sharp counter-attacks – is exactly the kind of football that tends to make life difficult for Japan.
Japan will need to be especially alert to quick attacks from the flanks and set pieces. Pushing the back line up while protecting the space behind will be key. In possession, they must move the ball with tempo, shifting Tunisia’s defensive block and creating chances both through central combinations and one-on-ones out wide.
The unknown: UEFA play-off path B
The team filling the F3 slot – the UEFA play-off B winner – will come from Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania. Each has a different style, which means Japan must prepare for multiple tactical scenarios.
Against Ukraine, Japan have played three A matches with a record of 1 win and 2 losses. In a 2018 friendly, Japan lost 1–2, struggling at times with the blend of physicality and technique characteristic of Eastern European sides.
Against Sweden, Japan’s record in four A matches is 0 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses. The Scandinavians are typically strong in the air and dangerous from set pieces, combining solid defence with clinical finishing.
Japan’s A match record against Poland is 2 wins and 1 loss in three games. They lost 0–1 in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but beat Poland twice in friendlies back in the 1980s – a reminder that “with the right game plan, Japan can more than hold their own.”
Japan have never faced Albania in an A match, making them a complete unknown. Should Albania emerge from the play-offs, Japan will have to deal with the momentum of a team that has already survived a high-pressure qualifying path.
Head-to-head records vs Group F opponents
Japan’s A match record against the Group F teams (as of November 2025):
| Opponent | Matches | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Tunisia | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 |
| Ukraine | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Sweden | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Poland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| Albania | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*All records are for international A matches. Penalty shootouts are counted as draws.
Keys to progression: importance of the opener and game management
In Group F, each team plays three matches, with the top two and the best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout rounds. Realistically, Japan’s most attainable scenario is to secure at least four points from their matches against Tunisia and the UEFA play-off winner, while also trying to take something from the game against Netherlands.
The opening match will be crucial. Whether the first opponent is Tunisia or the play-off winner, Japan must approach it with a “do not lose” mindset, but still have the courage to push for all three points in the closing stages. At Qatar 2022, Japan’s comeback against Germany and quick-fire goals against Spain showed how quickly they can swing the momentum of a match.
Squad depth and fitness management will also be key. With more players than ever based in Europe, there is a growing risk of fatigue at the end of a long club season. To survive three intense group matches, Japan will need a well-planned rotation and the boldness to make selection decisions based on match-ups rather than reputation.
Can Moriyasu’s Japan conquer the “Group of Death”?
On paper, a group featuring Netherlands, Tunisia and a strong European play-off winner is anything but easy. Many observers will likely label Group F as one of the tournament’s “Groups of Death”. Yet Moriyasu’s Japan have already shown that they can topple giants.
With a new generation emerging – led by Europe-based attackers such as Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma and Ayase Ueda, plus rising stars from the J.League – Japan’s potential continues to grow. If they can further refine both their build-up play and high pressing to become “a Japan that is dangerous whether they have the ball or not”, then progressing from this challenging Group F and finally reaching the quarter-finals will become a realistic target rather than a dream.
Relive the draw – official X and YouTube
To relive the atmosphere of the draw and keep up with the latest updates, be sure to follow posts from the official accounts:
“Breaking: Japan drawn into Group F! FIFA World Cup 26 draw – live from North and Central America.”
@jfa_samuraiblue on X, plus coverage on NHK, DAZN and the official FIFA YouTube channel.
