Japan will attempt to make their third consecutive appearance in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup when they take on Sweden at the Dallas Stadium in Texas, USA.
The Samurai Blue reached the sixteenth round of the last edition of the World Cup, beating Germany and Spain before losing to Croatia. Under the same coach Hajime Moriyasu, it will look to improve that record in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Group F points table
| Name | Competitions | wins | Pulls | To lose | Goal difference | Points |
| The Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 7 |
| Japan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -5 | 1 |
How can Japan qualify for the 32nd round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Scenario 1: Japan beats Sweden
A win in Dallas guarantees Japan a place in the top two in Group F with seven points. It will win the group if the Netherlands draw or lose to Tunisia, or if Japan wins by a margin that overcomes the Netherlands on goal difference/tiebreak goals scored.
Scenario 2: Japan draws with Sweden
A draw guarantees Japan will finish at least second in the group with five points, securing a place in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Scenario 3: Japan loses Sweden
Sweden jumps to six points and pushes Japan into third place with four points. With a strong current goal difference, Japan will be in the driver’s seat to qualify as one of the top eight third-placed teams.
Published on June 26, 2026
