Key events
We’ve had this from Peter Rehwaldt in Kansas City:
Today the Oranje took over Kansas City with their bus-led march through downtown Kansas City, and “took over” is not hyperbole. At least one local television station cut into its regular programming to show the Dutch parade, with their orange double-decker bus leading thousands through the streets, and liveblogged it on its website. Clearing the path ahead of the bus, the city Public Works Department even wrapped three of the city’s snowplows in orange to encourage people to get off the streets and onto the sidewalks.
What makes this truly amazing is that orange is the colour of one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ main rivals, the Denver Broncos. Local television presenters repeatedly told viewers: “These are not Broncos fans – they’re supporters of the Oranje from the Netherlands.” One local resident who joined the parade told a reporter: “I’m a lifelong Chiefs fan and have never worn orange in my life. That’s Denver’s color. But today, for the Dutch, for the joy they have brought our city, I had to go out and get some orange, non-Broncos clothes so I could take part properly.”
For tonight’s match, we’ve got rainstorms moving through, but the latest forecast says the threat of lightning has almost entirely disappeared, so it looks as if we won’t have to worry about a two-hour delay like the one for France v Iraq. Tonight’s game may be wet, perhaps with heavy rain at times, but it probably will not be delayed.
Thanks, Peter. We always love these dispatches from readers on the ground. If you’re at the game in Kansas City, or watching from somewhere around the world, drop us a line and let us know what you’re seeing.
Weather update
The shelter-in-place order at Kansas City Stadium has now been lifted after the threat of nearby lightning passed.
Fans had earlier been instructed to move indoors and seek shelter in concourses and other covered areas because of severe weather. Officials say lightning is no longer being detected within eight miles of the stadium, although steady rain continues.
The Fifa Fan Festival has been closed for the rest of the day, although shuttle bus services are continuing to operate for now.
Group E results
There are the final whistles!
Ecuador have qualified as one of the best third-place teams and will face either Mexico, Portugal or Colombia in the last 32.
Team news
Ronald Koeman sticks with a strong side despite the Dutch already having one foot in the knockout stages, while Hervé Renard makes several changes for Tunisia’s final game of the tournament.
Tunisia
XI Dahmen; Valery, Talbi, Abdi, Ben Hmida; Skhiri (c), Khedira; Slimane, Mejbri, Gharbi; Mastouri
Subs Chamakh, Ben Hessen, Rekik, Bronn, Achouri, Saad, Ben Ouanes, Ayari, Hadj Mahmoud, Elloumi, Chaouat, Chikhaoui, Tounekti, Arous, Neffati
Netherlands
XI Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Hecke, Van Dijk (c), Aké; Gravenberch, De Jong, Reijnders; Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo
Subs Roefs, Flekken, Geertruida, De Roon, Kluivert, Weghorst, Depay, Wieffer, Van de Ven, Til, Lang, Koopmeiners, Summerville, Hato, Timber
Referee Katia García (Mexico)
A quick glance across to Group E, where the knock-on effects are starting to get interesting. Ecuador are closing in on a 2-1 win over Germany, a result that will not be greeted warmly in Scotland, while Côte d’Ivoire are heading for a 2-0 victory over Curaçao.
Preamble
The Netherlands know the equation. Beat Tunisia and they will have done everything they can to secure top spot in Group F. Whether that proves enough depends on events hundreds of miles away in Arlington, where Japan face Sweden in the group’s other decisive fixture.
Both the Dutch and Japan begin the final round level on four points with identical goal differences after drawing 2-2 in their meeting, leaving Group F tightly wound at the top. Ronald Koeman’s side are favorites to finish the job against a Tunisia team already eliminated after heavy defeats to Sweden and Japan, but the Netherlands coach has insisted there will be no distraction from the concurrent match.
“You have to focus on making sure you win the match,” Koeman said. “We would love to be first in the group and of course the result will have an impact on that, but that’s not the most important thing. Playing this game is the most important thing.”
For Tunisia, the objective is rather different. After conceding nine goals in two losses and changing coaches midway through the tournament, pride is all that’s left to play for.
Hervé Renard was brought in following Sabri Lamouchi’s dismissal after the 5-1 loss to Sweden, but he could not prevent a 4-0 defeat against Japan that confirmed Tunisia’s exit. Now the veteran Frenchman wants his side to restore some respectability.
“We need to finish this competition as cleanly as possible,” Renard said. “Football requires pride, even when the situation is difficult, and you need to face these situations with dignity all the way to the end.”
The Netherlands arrive with the longest unbeaten run in World Cup history at 14 matches and the chance to extend it. Tunisia arrive seeking a performance that offers their supporters something to remember from an otherwise forgettable campaign.
Kick-off is forthcoming in Kansas City. We’ll be back shortly with the lineups.
Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s the briefing from Graham Ruthven’s daily guide on what to know about this Group F matchup:
What to watch for
Tunisia won’t have fond memories of the 2026 World Cup. Already out of the tournament after defeats to Sweden and Japan, the first of which prompted the firing of Sabri Lamouchi and Herve Renard’s hiring in his place, the African outfit have arguably been the worst team in the entire tournament.
Fresh from putting five past Sweden, the Netherlands could be set for another big win. Not always known for their attacking prowess under Ronald Koeman, the Dutch may have found the right balance in the forward line after introducing Brian Brobbey as a focal point in their last match.
Player to watch: Brian Brobbey, Netherlands – The Sunderland striker was too much for Sweden to handle and played an important role in bringing others into the game as well as scoring two goals of his own.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/25/tunisia-v-netherlands-world-cup-2026-live
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