Japan draw with Sweden, set up round-of-32 clash with Brazil

Japan, Asia's top football nation, secured a place in the round of 32 at the 2026 North America World Cup with one win and two draws after playing to a draw against Sweden in their final group-stage match. However, Japan will face traditional title contender Brazil in their opening knockout-round game.

Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden on Friday (Korean Standard Time) in the Group F finale at Dallas Stadium in Texas.

The draw left Japan with one win and two draws for five points, finishing second in the group behind the Netherlands, who secured top spot with two wins and a draw for seven points after beating Tunisia 3-1. Sweden finished third with one win, one draw and one loss for four points.

With the Netherlands and Japan advancing from Group F as the top two sides, Sweden also joined them in the round of 32 as the highest-ranked third-place team. South Korea remained in fifth place among third-place finishers.

Japan will now face a formidable challenge in the round of 32, drawn against Group C winners Brazil, who are chasing a record sixth World Cup title. The Netherlands, as group winners, will play Morocco.

After a scoreless first half, Japan broke through in the 56th minute when Maeda Daizen found the net. Maeda received a through ball from Doan Ritsu in midfield, drove into the center of the penalty area and beat the Swedish goalkeeper with a right-footed shot.

Six minutes later, Sweden equalized in the 62nd minute when Anthony Elanga unleashed a surprise left-footed strike from the right edge of the penalty area that curled into the bottom-left corner of Japan's goal.

Japan brought on veteran left wing-back Nagatomo Yuto, 39, as a substitute in the 75th minute. Making his first appearance at this tournament, Nagatomo extended his record to five consecutive World Cup appearances, beginning with the 2010 South Africa tournament. Japan held on through intense Swedish pressure in stoppage time to secure the draw.

Against Tunisia, who had already been eliminated from the group stage, the Netherlands dominated from the opening minutes and scored with ease. They took the lead in just the third minute through a Tunisia own goal.

Building on the early advantage, the Netherlands doubled their lead in the seventh minute. Virgil van Dijk flicked on a free kick from just outside the penalty arc, and Brian Brobbey converted with a right-footed volley from the right side of the six-yard box.

Tunisia pulled one back at the start of the second half. In the 54th minute, striker Hazem Mastouri headed home from a right-side corner kick, finding the net from directly in front of goal.

The Netherlands restored their two-goal cushion in the 62nd minute, however, when Jan-Paul van Hecke redirected a left-side corner with his head from the left side of the six-yard box to seal a 3-1 victory.