Group F remains delicately poised heading into the final round of matches, and neither Japan nor Sweden will feel entirely comfortable when they meet at Dallas Stadium.
Both sides still control their own destiny, but the margin for error is significantly smaller. Japan arrive with momentum after Hajime Moriyasu’s side produced one of the best performances of the tournament in a 4-0 defeat to Tunisia.
Ayase Ueda was the star, scoring twice and providing an assist, while Daichi Kamada continued his good tournament form by scoring Japan’s fastest ever World Cup goal. Kamada has already scored twice in the league, bettering his return (0 goals in 28 games for Crystal Palace) from a full season of Premier League football.
With four points and a superior goal difference, Japan knows that a draw guarantees a place in the knockout rounds.
However, Sweden’s journey at this World Cup has been more turbulent. Graham Potter’s side opened with an emphatic 5-1 win over Tunisia, but were brought back down to earth by a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands. It was Sweden’s heaviest World Cup defeat since the 5-2 loss to Pele’s Brazil in the 1958 final.
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Despite the setback, Sweden remains well positioned on three points. Another point could be enough to make progress, depending on results elsewhere.
The biggest source of optimism remains up front. The partnership between Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak has the potential to develop into one of the most dangerous attacking combinations, while Anthony Elanga’s lively cameo and goal against the Dutch could earn him a bigger role.
Japan will be without attacking midfielder Takefusa Kubo, who is struggling with a knee injury. Sweden, meanwhile, could consider midfield changes following the defeat to the Netherlands, with youngster Lucas Bergvall pushing for a starting spot.
Japan has been remarkably consistent over the past twelve months. The Samurai Blue have lost just once in fourteen games, scoring 26 goals and conceding just eight. Sweden, meanwhile, had reached the quarter-finals in Russia eight years ago, but has already suffered two heavy defeats in its six games this year – 5-1 against the Netherlands and 3-1 against Norway.
With qualifying on the line, Dallas could witness one of the tightest matches of the final group stage.
Published on June 24, 2026
