This Saturday (20), the Netherlands national team achieved a remarkable victory, defeating Sweden with a score of 5-1 in the second round of the group stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the win, coach Ronald Koeman addressed the possibility of facing either Brazil or Morocco in the tournament’s first knockout stage prior to the round of 16.
As it stands, the team at the top of Group F (currently the Netherlands with four points) would compete against the runner-up of Group C (currently Morocco, also with four points).
The Brazil national team, on the other hand, would be up against Sweden, who is currently second in Group F with three points.
In a candid manner, the 63-year-old coach analyzed the potential matchup with either the African side or Brazil, downplaying the significant historical difference in World Cup achievements between Morocco and Brazil.
“I don’t prefer either option. Both Brazil and Morocco are strong teams, and I do not see one as superior to the other. Their first-round match ended in a draw, with Morocco performing well in the first half and Brazil holding its ground in the second. There is no clear favorite,” stated Koeman, before concluding his remarks.
“Our focus must be on ourselves. We are committed to winning the next match to secure the top spot in our group. We will see who our opponent turns out to be.”
The Netherlands will face Tunisia in their final group stage match on Thursday (25).
Meanwhile, Brazil is scheduled to compete against Scotland on Wednesday (24), while Morocco will take on Haiti.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.