Japan's national football team played against Sweden in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The first half ended scoreless. Japan needs a draw or win to advance to the knockout stage.

What happened?

Japan made three changes to their starting lineup from the Tunisia game, with Shogo Taniguchi, Yuki Soma, and Daizen Maeda starting. Sweden, on the other hand, fielded a strong lineup with Victor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Elanga, all of whom have been impressive in the Premier League.

How did it go?

The match was intense, with both teams creating chances. Sweden targeted Isak and Gyokeres with long balls, but Japan's defense, led by Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito, and Shogo Omori, held firm.

What's next?

If the score remains the same, Japan will advance to the knockout stage as the second-placed team in the group and will face Brazil in the round of 32. | Score | Japan | Sweden | | --- | --- | --- | | Current | 0 | 0 | Here are Japan's recent results: | Date | Opponent | Score | | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-11-18 | Bolivia | 3-0 | Japan's recent form is 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in their last 5 games. They are currently on a 3-game winning streak.