The second round of the 2026 FIFA Mens World Cup group stage games continues with a slate of intriguing matchups. In the opening game, the Netherlands will look for its first win of the World Cup when they take on a Sweden team that is surging under manager Graham Potter. The second game takes us to Toronto where Germany and Ivory Coast will each look for their second wins after strong openers.Â
In the third game, Ecuador will take on tiny Curaçao in a game the South Americans need to win convincingly. Finally, Japan is fighting through new injuries but should still be the favorites over Tunisia, which is in disarray after firing its head coach after its opening round loss.Â
When: Saturday, June 20, 1 p.m. ET
Where: Houston
TV: FOX
Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One
In Group F, both the Netherlands and Sweden will be looking to take a step towards the knockout stages when they kick off Saturdays action at Houston Stadium in Texas.Â
Last year, Sweden struggled in World Cup qualifying, but the team has enjoyed a complete turnaround under manager Graham Potter. After making the playoffs via the Nations League, Potters team surged into the World Cup and then impressed with a 5-1 win over Tunisia in its opener.Â
Potters approach has brought out the best in its top attackers. Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak were in incredible form in the win over Tunisia as the Premier League duo ran at defenders and created a wave of chances. Brightons Yasin Ayari scored two goals and emerged as another point of attack.Â
Sweden could be emerging as one of the surprising teams at this World Cup because the teams complete turnaround in less than a year now has brought it to the point where it could make a run at this tournament.Â
The Netherlands is always a difficult team to play in any major tournament. That is no exception at this World Cup, although the Dutch are surely disappointed in being held to a 2-2 draw with Japan after leading twice. But that is a running problem right with the Netherlands, who hasn’t kept a clean sheet in its last five matches.
The biggest storyline in this game is Swedens elite Premier League attackers going against the Netherlands elite Premier League central defenders in Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke, who completed a blockbuster transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion to Tottenham on Thursday for a fee of £52 million.Â
The pressure is on the Netherlands to win this game and van Dijk and van Hecke will go a long way towards deciding that.Â
The Liverpool forward was electric for Sweden in its opening 5-1 win over Tunisia. Isak scored a goal and added two assists as he routinely cut through Tunisia’s defense using his speed and skill. But going against the Dutch defense is the test of another level. If Isak can do that, Sweden might pull off a surprising result. He will know what he is up against as he will likely have several occasions when he has to go against his Liverpool teammate in Virgil van Dijk.
When: Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. ET
Where: Toronto
TV: FOX
Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One
In an enticing contest on Saturday, Germany and Ivory Coast meet up in Toronto after both teams won their respective openers. Â The winner will gain full control of Group E heading into the group stage finale.Â
Germany won its first game
