Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Group F's second match pits Pot 1 Netherlands against Pot 3 Sweden. Both teams have already played their openers against Japan and Tunisia respectively, making this a crucial encounter for knockout stage qualification. Sweden, under Graham Potter since October 2025, secured their first World Cup appearance since 2018 through dramatic playoff wins over Ukraine and Poland.
- Both teams deploy variations of the 4-3-3 formation. Netherlands line up in their traditional 4-3-3 with Cody Gakpo (27, LW), Brian Brobbey (24, ST) and Donyell Malen (27, RW) forming the front three. Sweden counter with a 3-1-4-2 featuring the lethal Premier League duo of Alexander Isak (26, Liverpool) and Viktor Gyökeres (28, Arsenal) up front.
- The Dutch midfield revolves around Frenkie de Jong (29, Barcelona), with over 65 international caps. His world-class dribbling and press resistance are flanked by Tijjani Reijnders (27, Manchester City) and Ryan Gravenberch (24, Liverpool), the latter providing defensive stability with his 190cm frame as the holding midfielder.
- Sweden's attacking prowess is formidable. Isak combines his 192cm frame with exceptional technical ability and work rate to terrorize Premier League defenses. Gyökeres arrived at Arsenal after an incredible 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP. Supporting them in midfield are emerging talents like Lucas Bergvall (20, Tottenham) and Yasin Ayari (22, Brighton).
- The Dutch defense is anchored by captain Virgil van Dijk (34, Liverpool). His 195cm stature and dominant physicality control aerial battles in his third World Cup following Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022. He partners with Jan Paul van Hecke (26, Brighton), with Micky van de Ven (25, Tottenham) on the left and Denzel Dumfries (30, Inter Milan) on the right forming a formidable back line.
- Sweden's defense is marshaled by captain Victor Lindelöf (31, Aston Villa) with 75 international caps. A key figure in Sweden's 2018 World Cup quarterfinal run, he leads a back three alongside Isak Hien (27, Atalanta) and Gustav Lagerbjelke (26, SC Braga). Jesper Karlström (30, Udinese) shields them as the lone pivot in midfield.
- A key matchup features Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen (23, Brighton) against Sweden's world-class strike partnership. Verbruggen's 194cm frame and modern distribution skills face their first World Cup test against the clinical finishing of Isak and Gyökeres, both proven Premier League scorers at the highest level.
- Netherlands boast superior bench strength with Memphis Depay (32, Corinthians), their all-time leading scorer with 51 goals in over 100 caps. Justin Kluivert (27, Ajax) and Crysencio Summerville (24, West Ham) provide additional attacking options. Sweden can turn to Anthony Elanga (24, Newcastle) for explosive pace on the flanks as their primary impact substitute.