World Cup Preview: Group F
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just one day away, we continue to preview each of the tournament's twelve groups through a Ligue 1 McDonald's lens, continuing with Group F: the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
The Netherlands
FIFA Ranking: 8
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
There is only one Dutchman currently playing in Ligue 1 McDonald's who will head to the World Cup: Marseille's Quinten Timber. The midfielder made the move to the Vélodrome and impressed. Despite previously being capped, Strasbourg captain Emanuel Emegha missed out after an injury-hit campaign. There was also no space for Monaco's Jordan Teze nor Lyon's Ruben Kluivert.
Tournament outlook:
The Netherlands' high FIFA ranking suggests that they have a good chance heading into this World Cup. In the UEFA qualifiers, only Norway and Belgium scored more goals (27). However, having conceded just four in what was an unbeaten campaign, defence is their real strength. They will be relying on Virgil Van Dijk, perhaps at his final World Cup, but as he has shown at Liverpool, he remains a formidable opponent.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Memphis Depay
Flair, personality, and excellent goals all contribute to making Depay one of the cult heroes in Ligue 1 McDonald's in the 21st century. His record was exceptional. Despite a career that has taken him to Manchester United, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and PSV, it was at Lyon where he played most and played the best (178 appearances, 76 goals, 56 assists).
Memphis Depay was special with OL 🦁🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/oKVuySBJhI
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 4, 2024
Now aged 32 and playing his football in Brazil with Corinthians, he will head to the World Cup in North America.
Japan
FIFA Ranking: 18
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
Takumi Minamino is one of the stars of the Japan national team and indeed at Monaco. However, he sustained an ACL injury back in December and has just narrowly missed out on making the World Cup squad. He will nonetheless travel due to his importance in the dressing room. Ayumu Seko of Le Havre has made the squad, however, as has Keito Nakamura, who plays his football for Reims in Ligue 2 BKT.
Tournament outlook:
Japan are another of this World Cup's dark horses. They stormed their qualification campaign and played some good football in the process. It is a young squad and an exciting new generation are travelling further afield, as evidenced by the Japanese contingent in France. That is only helping the national team. They can't be considered a favourite but could make a good run, even towards the latter stages of the knockout rounds, depending on their draw.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Hiroki Sakai
Like Depay, Sakai is something of a cult figure, having played 145 times for Marseille. The right-back joined back in 2016 and became an ever-present at the back. With the departures of players such as Patrice Evra and Jordan Amavi, he also played on the left. He will always be remembered for a spectacular long-range goal in the Europa League against RB Leipzig.
Sweden
FIFA Ranking: 38
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
No Ligue 1 McDonald's players made Graham Potter's Sweden squad. The closest to do so was Strasbourg's Sébastien Nanasi, whilst Nice's Isak Jansson was also a contender for a place, although he struggled in his debut season in France.
Tournament outlook:
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Potter is a popular figure in Sweden, however, the chances of the Scandinavian nation going deep in this competition look to be slim. Their qualification campaign was catastrophic as they took just two points. They qualified for this competition only due to their finish in the Nations League. A change of fortunes is needed. With Alexander Isak returning and Viktor Gyokeres finishing the season well with Arsenal, there is, nonetheless, reason for some hope.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Kim Källström
With almost 300 appearances in Ligue 1 McDonald's, Källström was a mainstay in France for almost a decade. Källström, Sweden's fourth-most capped player, began his journey in French football when he joined Rennes from Djurgården back in January 2004.
𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖 🇸🇪🪄 pic.twitter.com/uHki59tOQT
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 2, 2023
But he is known more for his successful stint at Lyon. There, he won the Ligue 1 McDonald's title in back-to-back seasons and also won the Coupe de France twice. The Swede is one of those commonly affiliated with OL's Golden Era earlier this century.
Tunisia
FIFA Ranking: 45
Current Ligue 1 McDonald's players:
Ligue 1 McDonald's is full of Tunisian talent. Lorient's Montassar Talbi will be heading to North America, as will Nice's Ali Abdi, whilst PSG's Khalil Ayari has been included as something of a wildcard. The talented young forward has yet to make his debut for PSG but will be involved nonetheless.
Tournament outlook:
Little is expected of Tunisia this summer. The North African nation have a very conservative play style. There is an element of playing to strengths, given that this is a side sorely lacking in the attacking department. But, against some strong nations and in a difficult group, they don't look equipped to progress beyond the Group Stage. They are the side touted for an early exit.
Ligue 1 McDonald's legend: Wahbi Khazri
Now retired, Khazri is a veritable legend of French football, having played for Bastia, Bordeaux, Rennes, Saint-Étienne, and Montpellier. A real journeyman, he was a deft and tricky player to deal with. He made 319 appearances in France's top flight (75 goals, 39 assists), and also played in the lower echelons (Ligue 2: 76 appearances, 15 goals, 11 assists; Ligue 3: 34 games, five goals).
𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 🚀
🤯 Wahbi Khazri scored a memorable goal from 7⃣0⃣ yards for @ASSEofficiel ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/O9me1DsBfW— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) November 1, 2021
With Bastia, he won the Ligue 3 and the Ligue 2 BKT titles, but beyond the trophies and the goals, he is a player as much remembered for how he moved on the ball... as well as that ridiculous goal from 70 yards out against Metz.
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