What Is 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F consisted of Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea. The group stage matches took place from June 17 to June 27, 2018. Mexico and Sweden advanced to the Round of 16, while defending champions Germany were eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1938.

Key Facts

Group F included Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea
Matches were played between June 17 and June 27, 2018
Mexico finished first with 6 points, Sweden second with 6 points
Germany lost 0–2 to South Korea in their final match
Germany was eliminated despite being defending champions

Overview

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Group F was one of eight groups in the tournament held in Russia. It featured four national teams: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and South Korea, drawn together during the group stage draw on December 1, 2017.

This group became one of the most dramatic and surprising in World Cup history, primarily due to the early exit of defending champions Germany. Despite high expectations, Germany failed to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since 1938.

Germany, the 2014 World Cup winners, entered Group F as favorites but lost 0–1 to Mexico and 0–2 to South Korea, finishing last with only 3 points.
Mexico started strong with a 1–0 win over Germany on June 17, followed by a 2–1 victory against South Korea, securing their place in the knockout stage.
Sweden defeated South Korea 1–0 and then beat Mexico 3–0 in their final match, finishing second in the group with 6 points.
South Korea delivered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by defeating Germany 2–0 on June 27, though they still finished last in the group standings.
All group matches were played across four Russian cities: Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, and Nizhny Novgorod, with kick-off times scheduled between 15:00 and 21:00 local time.

Group Stage Results

Each team played three matches using a round-robin format, earning three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. The top two teams advanced to the knockout stage based on points, goal difference, and head-to-head results.

Match 1: Germany vs Mexico (June 17, 2018): Mexico won 1–0 at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, with Hirving Lozano scoring the decisive goal in the 35th minute.
Match 2: Sweden vs South Korea (June 18, 2018): Sweden won 1–0 in Nizhny Novgorod, with Andreas Granqvist converting a penalty kick in the 65th minute.
Match 3: South Korea vs Mexico (June 23, 2018): Mexico won 2–1 in Rostov-on-Don, with goals from Carlos Vela and Javier Hernández.
Match 4: Germany vs Sweden (June 23, 2018): Germany won 2–1 in Sochi after Toni Kroos scored a 95th-minute winning goal from a free kick.
Match 5: Mexico vs Sweden (June 27, 2018): Sweden won 3–0 in Ekaterinburg, eliminating Mexico on goal difference despite both teams having 6 points.
Match 6: South Korea vs Germany (June 27, 2018): South Korea won 2–0 in Kazan, with goals by Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min in stoppage time.

Comparison at a Glance

Final standings and performance metrics for Group F teams are summarized in the table below:

Team	Points	Goal Difference	Wins	Losses
Mexico	6	+1	2	1
Sweden	6	+3	2	1
South Korea	3	−2	1	2
Germany	3	−2	1	2
Average Attendance	43,723	—	—	—

Despite having identical point totals, Sweden advanced over Mexico due to a superior goal difference (+3 vs. +1). Germany’s shocking elimination highlighted vulnerabilities in their squad depth and tactical approach, especially after their narrow win over Sweden kept hopes alive until their loss to South Korea.

Why It Matters

The outcome of Group F had significant implications for international football, reshaping perceptions about traditional powerhouses and underdog potential. It underscored the increasing competitiveness of global tournaments and the unpredictability of modern football.

Historic upset: Germany’s elimination marked the first time since 1938 that the defending champions exited in the group stage, joining France (2002) and Italy (2010).
Sweden’s resurgence: After failing to qualify for Euro 2016, Sweden reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 2018, their best performance since 1994.
Mexico’s consistency: Mexico has advanced from the group stage in seven consecutive World Cups, though they were eliminated in the Round of 16 in 2018.
South Korea’s milestone: Their win over Germany was their first victory against European opponents in World Cup history since 1998.
Media impact: The group generated global headlines, especially Germany’s collapse, which led to widespread analysis and criticism of coaching decisions.
Tactical evolution: The group highlighted the importance of adaptability, with Mexico’s counterattacks and Sweden’s physical style proving effective.

Group F remains a case study in tournament unpredictability, demonstrating that past success does not guarantee future results on the world stage.