Netherlands vs Sweden — Live Score, How to Watch & Preview

Netherlands vs Sweden kicks off in GROUP F of the 2026 World Cup. Below you’ll find the live score, the kickoff time in your own timezone, exactly where to watch in every country, the full head-to-head record and the key players to watch.

Match preview

The Netherlands and Sweden meet in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with both sides aiming to secure a crucial result. The Dutch, under their new manager, have blended their traditional total football with a pragmatic edge. They boast a formidable defense led by Virgil van Dijk and a creative midfield featuring Frenkie de Jong. In attack, Memphis Depay remains the focal point, supported by the pace of Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons. The Netherlands will look to dominate possession and break down Sweden's organized defense.

Sweden, known for their disciplined structure and counter-attacking threat, rely on the experience of Victor Lindelöf at the back and the creativity of Emil Forsberg in midfield. Up front, Alexander Isak provides a potent goal threat with his movement and finishing. Sweden's approach will be to stay compact, absorb pressure, and exploit spaces on the break. Set pieces could be a key weapon, with their aerial prowess.

Key battles include De Jong vs Forsberg in midfield and the Dutch defense against Isak's runs. Both teams need a positive result to enhance their knockout stage hopes. Expect a tactical contest where the Netherlands' possession game meets Sweden's resilience.

Key players to watch

Netherlands

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) — The defensive leader, crucial for organizing the backline and winning aerial duels.
Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) — The midfield metronome, dictating tempo and breaking lines with his passing.
Memphis Depay (Atlético Madrid) — The main attacking threat, capable of scoring and creating from the left or central areas.

Sweden

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) — The dynamic striker, whose pace and finishing make him Sweden's most dangerous outlet.
Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig) — The creative hub, providing key passes and set-piece delivery.
Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United) — The experienced center-back, vital for organizing the defense and starting attacks from the back.

How to watch Netherlands vs Sweden — by country

Kickoff is … in your local time. Here’s the official broadcaster and stream in each country:

Australia

Australia: SBS has exclusive rights and is keeping the whole tournament free. All 104 matches air live and free on SBS, SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand — no subscription needed.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh: A consortium of state broadcaster BTV, T Sports and Star News has secured the rights (confirmed days before kickoff after an earlier deal collapsed). Matches air live on BTV (free-to-air), with T Sports and Star News on cable and the T Sports app/website for streaming. As terms were only just finalised, confirm exact channel splits with local listings.

Brazil

Brazil: Grupo Globo carries every Brazil match, the final and half the remaining games across TV Globo, SporTV and Globoplay. CazéTV streams all 104 matches live and free in 4K on YouTube, and free-to-air channel SBT shows a selection including Brazil games and knockouts. Easiest free option: CazéTV on YouTube.

Canada

Canada: Bell Media is the official broadcaster. All 104 matches air on TSN (English) and RDS (French) via cable, with select games — including Canada's matches, the opener and the final — free over the air on CTV. Stream on TSN+, the RDS app, or Crave.

Germany

Germany: Deutsche Telekom''s MagentaTV holds rights to all 104 matches (44 exclusive), requiring a subscription. ARD and ZDF each show 30 matches free-to-air — including all Germany games, the opening match, semi-finals and final — on TV and their online streams.

India

India: Zee Entertainment holds the official rights. All 104 matches air on the new Unite8 Sports 1/1 HD (Hindi) and Unite8 Sports 2/2 HD (English) TV channels, and stream on ZEE5 (paid subscription, from about Rs 799 for 3 months). There is no free-to-air option, so a ZEE5 plan or a TV pack carrying Unite8 Sports is needed.

FAQ

When is Netherlands vs Sweden?

Sat, Jun 20 at 05:00 PM UTC — shown in your local time on this page — in GROUP F of the 2026 World Cup.

How can I watch Netherlands vs Sweden?

Through the official 2026 World Cup broadcaster in your country — for example BBC/ITV (UK, free), Fox & Telemundo (USA), beIN Sports (Middle East), SBS (Australia, free). See the full country-by-country guide on this page.