FIFA WORLD CUP | Japan and Sweden ready to joust with qualification on the line

Group F remains delicately poised heading into the final round of matches in the FIFA World Cup, and neither Japan nor Sweden will feel entirely comfortable when they meet at the Dallas Stadium here on Friday (June 26) early morning India time.

Both still control their own destinies, but the margin for error is considerably narrower. Japan arrives with momentum after Hajime Moriyasu’s side produced one of the performances of the tournament in a 4-0 demolition of Tunisia.

Ayase Ueda was the standout performer, scoring twice and providing an assist, while Daichi Kamada continued his fine tournament form by netting Japan’s quickest-ever World Cup goal.

Kamada has already scored twice in the competition, bettering his returns (no goals in 28 appearances for Crystal Palace) from an entire season of Premier League football.

Japan’s Ayase Ueda, left, and Daichi Kamada celebrate after the former scored the second goal during the World Cup Group F soccer match against Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AP

With four points and a superior goal difference, Japan knows a draw will guarantee a place in the knockout rounds.

Sweden’s journey in this World Cup, however, has been more turbulent. Graham Potter’s side opened with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Tunisia but was brought crashing back to earth by a big defeat against the Netherlands. It was Sweden’s heaviest World Cup loss since the 5-2 reverse to Pele’s Brazil in the 1958 final.

Despite the setback, Sweden remains well placed on three points. Another point could be enough to secure progression, depending on results elsewhere.

Its greatest source of optimism remains up front. The partnership of Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak has the potential to emerge as one of the most dangerous attacking combinations, while Anthony Elanga’s lively cameo and goal against the Dutch could earn him a larger role.

Sweden’s forward Anthony Elanga scores his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group F football match against Netherlands at the Houston Stadium in Houston on June 20, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AFP

Japan will be without attacking midfielder Takefusa Kubo, who is nursing a knee injury. Sweden, meanwhile, may consider changes in midfield after the Netherlands defeat, with youngster Lucas Bergvall pushing for a starting berth.

Japan has been remarkably consistent in the last 12 months. The Samurai Blue have lost only once in 14 matches, scoring 26 goals while conceding just eight.

Sweden, meanwhile, had reached the quarterfinals, in Russia, eight years back, but has already suffered two heavy losses — 5-1 against the Dutch and 3-1 to Norway — in its six matches this year.

With qualification at stake, Dallas could witness one of the fiercest contests of the final group-stage round.