ARLINGTON, Texas — Japan advanced to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but finished second in Group F after a 1-1 draw with Sweden at Dallas Stadium, according to the report. The Netherlands claimed top spot with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia.
There was a brief window during the simultaneous kickoffs when a solitary goal would have lifted Japan to first place, the report said. Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead in the 56th minute before Anthony Elanga equalized with a long-range strike, and the match ultimately ended in a draw.
Japan will now face Brazil on Monday in the round of 32, a draw the report described as a daunting test. Advancing as Group F runners-up will not change the message coming from the Samurai Blue camp; the team will continue to assert it has the quality to beat any opponent at the tournament, according to the report.
The matchup carries historical resonance: the report notes that Brazilian football has influenced the development of the game in Japan since Zico’s arrival in 1991, when the former Brazil great played a role in developing the sport at club and international levels. Japan made its World Cup debut in 1998 and has since evolved from underdogs to a respected side on the global stage.
Japan’s style has often featured control of possession and an emphasis on technical play, the report said, and Maeda’s goal against Sweden was cited as an example. The move began with a one-two between Ritsu Dōan and Ayase Ueda, Dōan sent a probing ball to the penalty spot and Maeda finished into the bottom corner. The report also referenced Japan’s earlier 4-0 win over Tunisia as part of their tournament run.
