World Cup: Draw sends Japan, Sweden through to R32

A hard-fought draw has taken Japan through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 (R32) as Group F runners-up and secured Sweden’s spot as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

The Samurai Blue arrived at Dallas Stadium knowing a draw would secure a top-two finish, while Sweden needed all three points to leapfrog their opponents into second place.

Japan soon began to assert control, dictating the tempo and forcing Graham Potter’s charges deep inside their own half. 

Daizen Maeda headed narrowly wide early on, before Yukinari Sugawara tested Jacob Zetterstrom for the first time.

Keito Nakamura went even closer to breaking the deadlock, but his cleverly disguised effort was brilliantly tipped around the post.

Japan broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the restart when Maeda latched on to a superb Ritsu Doan through ball and finished smartly into the corner. 

Their lead lasted just a few minutes, though, with Anthony Elanga firing in a ferocious 20-yard shot to restore parity.

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With Sweden in the ascendancy, Zion Suzuki denied Alexander Isak and Elanga goals that would have sent Potter’s men through in second place as a gripping contest ended all square.

With the Netherlands defeating already eliminated Tunisia to claim top spot in Group F, section runners-up Japan’s reward is a Round of 32 meeting with Group C winners Brazil. 

Sweden’s next assignment will be against the winner of Group B, E, or I.

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