Japan, Sweden book last-32 places
The result saw Japan finish as runners-up in Group F with five points, while Sweden advanced as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams with four points.
KATHMANDU: Japan secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage after earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Sweden on Friday, with both sides progressing to the last 32.
The result saw Japan finish as runners-up in Group F with five points, while Sweden advanced as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams with four points.
Japan needed only a draw to qualify before kick-off, whereas Sweden required victory to have any chance of finishing second in the group.
The Samurai Blue dominated possession from the outset and created the better chances in the opening half. Daizen Maeda headed narrowly wide before Yukinari Sugawara forced Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Zetterström into a smart save.
Keito Nakamura also came close, but Zetterström produced another fine stop to keep the scores level.
Japan eventually broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Ritsu Doan threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Maeda, who controlled the ball superbly before finishing confidently to make it 1-0.
Sweden responded quickly.
Just six minutes later, Anthony Elanga unleashed a powerful strike from around 20 yards that beat Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to level the contest at 1-1.
The equaliser sparked Sweden into life, with Alexander Isak and Elanga both going close as Suzuki made a series of crucial saves to preserve the draw.
Elsewhere in Group F, the Netherlands defeated Tunisia 3-1 to top the standings with seven points. Japan finished second on five points and will now face Group C winners Brazil in the last 32.
Sweden’s four-point haul proved enough to secure one of the eight best third-place qualification spots. They will face the winners of either Group B, Group E or Group I in the knockout round.
The draw also marked a significant milestone for Japan, who reached the World Cup knockout stage unbeaten in the group phase for the first time in the nation’s history.
Sweden winger Anthony Elanga was named Player of the Match after scoring the decisive equaliser and leading his side’s second-half resurgence.
