The Netherlands beat hapless Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to top World Cup Group F and avoid a last-32 clash with Brazil, setting up a meeting with Morocco instead.

Ronald Koeman’s men flew into a two-goal lead in soggy Kansas City thanks to some shoddy defending from the North African side.

Ellyes Skhiri sliced Denzel Dumfries’ cross into his own net and minutes later Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey lashed home from close range.

That apparently sealed the deal for the Netherlands, whose orange-clad fans were entertaining themselves with Mexican waves midway through the first half at Arrowhead Stadium.

Tunisia pulled a goal back in the second half but the Dutch restored their two-goal lead courtesy of a Jan Paul van Hecke header shortly after the hour mark.

The Netherlands, who finished their group fixtures with seven points, pipped Japan to top spot in Group F, and will face Morocco in the second round in Monterrey on Monday.

Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in Arlington, Texas, to confirm second spot though the Scandinavian side also advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Netherlands coach Koeman warned against thinking too far ahead, with a potential last-16 tie against South Africa or co-hosts Canada.

“We need to prepare for Morocco first because it will be a big game,” he said.

“It’s a good team with a lot of quality and they can score easily. We know that from Dutch football.”

– Stormy Kansas City –

Thursday’s game started on time after a lightning storm had threatened major disruption earlier in the American Midwest.

Tunisia went close in the opening moments when Ismael Gharbi fired over from close range but that proved a false indicator of what was to come.

Instead Skhiri turned the ball into his own net in the third minute to put the three-time finalists in front.

Just four minutes later Brobbey smashed home his third goal of the World Cup after Virgil van Dijk headed across the area following a Tijjani Reijnders free-kick.

Tunisia threatened to unravel further but managed to reach half-time without conceding again.

The North Africans pulled a goal back in the 54th minute when Hazem Mastouri headed home from Hannibal Mejbri’s corner.

But any potential jitters were quickly dispelled minutes later when Van Hecke’s header from Reijnders’ corner found its way into the net via a deflection.

Tunisia will go home with their tails between their legs after an embarrassing campaign in which they shipped 12 goals in three games.

Veteran French coach Herve Renard was hired last week after Sabri Lamouchi was sacked following the team’s 5-1 hammering by Sweden in their opening match in Mexico.

But he was unable to stop the rot as Tunisia, who romped through qualifying without conceding a single goal, collapsed 4-0 against Japan before their defeat by the Dutch.

The 57-year-old delivered a frank assessment of Tunisia’s lack of quality.

“We were not at the level for this World Cup,” he said. “This is clear. There is no discussion.

“It’s a big tournament with very good teams, especially in this group. It was a very tough group. And now, the federation of Tunisia needs to sit down and analyse everything.”

AFP

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Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu hopes his side’s World Cup exploits will inspire other Asian countries after AFP footage showed Chinese football fans celebrating the success of their traditional rivals.

Japan and China have often had fraught political ties, but some Chinese supporters in Shanghai put that aside to cheer Japan’s 4-0 win over Tunisia.

Japan sealed their place in the last 32 on Thursday following a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Texas and face Brazil next.

Asked afterwards by AFP if his team felt their success was not only for Japan, but for Asia as a whole, Moriyasu said: “We are representing Japan, but we’re proud to be representing Japan towards the world.

“And of course, now we are representing Asia.

“I know that other Asians teams are not as successful.

“Even if today we couldn’t get the win, I would like us to be able to encourage other Asian teams as well, and we would like to be their hope.

“Also, if we’re having good competitions among Asian teams, that can get the level up.”

Among other Asian Football Confederation teams, South Korea hope to still reach the next round as one of the best third-placed finishers.

Iran and Australia are also among the AFC sides still in contention.

China failed to reach the World Cup once again, having made it only one time, back in 2002.

AFP

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Three African nations have secured places in the Round of 32 at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a strong showing for the continent at the expanded tournament.

Out of the 10 teams representing the continent, Morocco, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire have so far confirmed their places in the knockout stage.

Egypt, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Algeria, Senegal and Congo DR remain in contention ahead of their final group matches as of Friday, June 26.

Morocco finished runners-up in Group C after a 4-2 victory over Haiti, setting up a Round of 32 clash against Group F winners the Netherlands on June 29.

South Africa made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after recovering from an opening defeat to co-hosts Mexico.

Bafana Bafana drew with Czechia before defeating Korea Republic to finish second in Group A and book a meeting with Canada on June 28.

Côte d’Ivoire also progressed after finishing second in Group E with victories over Ecuador and Curaçao.

The Elephants will face the runners-up from Group I in the Round of 32 on June 30.

Among the remaining African representatives, Egypt lead Group G with four points from two matches, while Ghana are second in Group L on goal difference behind England, with both sides on four points.

Cabo Verde are third in Group H with two points, level with Uruguay but behind on goal difference, while Algeria are third in Group J with three points, the same tally as Austria.

Senegal and Congo DR have already been eliminated from automatic qualification contention but still have opportunities depending on final group results and the competition’s best third-placed ranking system.

Elsewhere, hosts Mexico, the United States, Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador and Sweden have also advanced to the Round of 32.

Teams already eliminated from the tournament include Tunisia from Africa, alongside Haiti, Türkiye, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czechia and Curaçao.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams and a Round of 32, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the knockout stage.

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