Japan's national football team advanced to the round of 32 with an unbeaten record after drawing with formidable Sweden in their final group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in their third and final Group F match at Dallas Stadium in Texas on June 26 (Korean time).
The result gave Japan a record of one win and two draws (five points), securing second place in the group. The Netherlands (two wins, one draw, seven points), who beat Tunisia (three losses, zero points) 3-1 on the same day, finished first in the group. With the Netherlands and Japan advancing to the round of 32, Sweden also secured a ticket by ranking highest among the third-place teams.
Although Japan went unbeaten in the group of death with its trademark organized style of play, the draw was not in their favor. Their round-of-32 opponent is none other than Brazil. Facing the formidable side bidding for a sixth World Cup title, Japan will encounter its toughest challenge from the very first knockout match. The Netherlands, which topped the group, will play Morocco in the round of 32.
Japan, scoreless at halftime, took the lead in the 56th minute on a goal by Maeda Daizen. Maeda received a through pass from Doan Ritsu in midfield, charged into the front of the penalty area, and shot with his right foot to find the back of Sweden's net. Sweden did not back down. In the 62nd minute, Anthony Elanga drilled a sudden left-footed mid-range strike from the right corner of the penalty area into the left corner of Japan's goal, leveling the score. Japan, trading attacks, narrowly held off Sweden's concentrated offensive in stoppage time to complete the draw.
Meanwhile, Group F bottom side Tunisia received the most dismal record in this tournament's group stage. After losses of 1-5 to Sweden and 0-4 to Japan, Tunisia also lost to the Netherlands on the same day, exiting with "zero points in the group stage" and a "double-digit goal difference" (two goals scored, 12 conceded). The worst group-stage record in World Cup history belongs to South Korea. In its first appearance at the 1954 Switzerland tournament, South Korea lost 0-9 to Hungary and 0-7 to Turkey, leaving a record of two losses in two matches and 16 goals conceded.
