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Japan Holds Sweden, Secures Group F Spot, Faces Brazil

6/26/2026

Summary

Japan Draws

Japan secured second place in Group F after a 1-1 draw with Sweden at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Daizen Maeda gave Japan a 56th-minute lead before Anthony Elanga equalized for Sweden.
The result leaves Japan second in the group while the Netherlands tops the group after beating Tunisia 3-1.
Japan will meet Brazil in the round of 32 on June 29, a matchup reflecting Brazil’s long-standing influence on Japanese football.

Summary

Japan Resists

Ayase Ueda passed to Ritsu Doan, whose cross set up Daizen Maeda’s opening goal.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu pushed attacking intent, evident in Ao Tanaka’s early second-half strike after Japan conceded.
Keito Nakamura gave Japan its first chance with a low strike from Maeda’s layoff that forced Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into a full-stretch save.
Zion Suzuki made a sprawling save on Alexander Isak’s early second-half header, preserving the draw.

Summary

Japan Advances

The Group F finale took place at AT&T Stadium before about 70,000 fans.
The climate-controlled venue displayed early Dutch goals on a massive video screen.
A mandatory hydration break halted play and shifted momentum.
Sweden manager Graham Potter, after changing his goalkeeper, called logistical planning the fun part of the tournament.
The result sent Japan to Houston for a round-of-32 match against Brazil as the stadium’s air-conditioning ran at full capacity.

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Japan Draws

Japan secured second place in Group F after a 1-1 draw with Sweden at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Daizen Maeda gave Japan a 56th-minute lead before Anthony Elanga equalized for Sweden.
The result leaves Japan second in the group while the Netherlands tops the group after beating Tunisia 3-1.
Japan will meet Brazil in the round of 32 on June 29, a matchup reflecting Brazil’s long-standing influence on Japanese football.

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