Japan eye knockout berth as Sweden seek must-win result
Japan hold the advantage heading into a decisive Group F showdown, but Sweden know only a win will guarantee their place in the last 32.
Japan and Sweden will face off in a decisive Group F encounter at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Thursday (25 June), with both sides still firmly in contention for a place in the Fifa World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
Japan entered the final group-stage match in a commanding position after collecting four points from their opening two fixtures.
Hajime Moriyasu's men followed a hard-fought draw against the Netherlands with a dominant win over Tunisia, becoming the first Asian nation to score four goals in a World Cup match.
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A draw will be enough to secure Japan's progression to the knockout stage, while a victory could see the Samurai Blue finish top of the group.
Confidence is high in the Japanese camp, with Moriyasu's side unbeaten in their last nine matches. Defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kou Itakura and Hiroki Ito have provided a solid defensive platform, while Daichi Kamada, Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda have spearheaded an increasingly dangerous attack.
Sweden, meanwhile, know that victory would guarantee qualification after a mixed start to their campaign.
Graham Potter's side opened with an impressive win over Tunisia before suffering a heavy defeat against the Netherlands, a result that exposed defensive vulnerabilities Japan will look to exploit.
Despite that setback, Sweden possess significant attacking quality.
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres form one of the tournament's most dangerous strike partnerships, while Anthony Elanga's pace and direct running could prove decisive on the counter-attack.
With qualification, group standings and a potentially favourable knockout-stage draw all at stake, an entertaining contest is expected between two ambitious sides determined to extend their World Cup journey.
Probable XI
Japan: Zion Suzuki, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kou Itakura (c), Hiroki Ito, Ritsu Doan, Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka, Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ayase Ueda.
Sweden: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Isak Hien, Victor Lindelöf (c); Anthony Elanga, Lucas Bergvall, Jesper Karlström, Yasin Ayari, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak.
