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Japan will take on Iceland on Sunday, 31 May, as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue across the world.
While Iceland have failed to qualify for the tournament, Japan are gearing up for their eighth crack at the tournament, with group stage matches against Sweden, Tunisia and the Netherlands to come in June.
Read our Japan vs Iceland prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Japan vs Iceland key stats
- Japan have won their last five international friendly matches.
- Iceland have failed to win each of their last four matches.
- Japan have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four matches.
Japan vs Iceland preview: Are the hosts World Cup dark horses?
| Japan | vs | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| 18th | FIFA Ranking | 75th |
| Yūto Nagatomo (144) | Most Caps | Aron Gunnarsson (108) |
| Ayase Ueda (16) | Most Goals | Gylfi Sigurdsson (28) |
| 960 | Total Caps | 896 |
| 120 | Total Goals | 94 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 2 |
Japan's form since securing qualification for the World Cup has been nothing short of extraordinary, and it has made them a team to keep an eye on in the summer.
Since October, the Blue Samurai have faced five nations that are also competing at the World Cup this summer, and they have come out on top in four of them. This run has included victories over England and Brazil.
The match against Iceland on Sunday represents their final warm-up match before the World Cup, and manager Hajime Moriyasu has perhaps elected to face ‘weaker' opposition to ensure no confidence is lost ahead of their opener with the Netherlands on 14 June.
The biggest headline to come out of Japan's World Cup squad is the absence of star man Kaoru Mitoma due to a hamstring injury. Juya Ito is also unavailable for the match against Iceland due to ongoing club commitments with Genk.
As for Iceland, this match is perhaps one that their players could do without. With no World Cup to look forward to next month, Iceland are simply playing for professional pride on Sunday.
This summer, they will also lose their status as the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup, with Curacao now holding that title.
Iceland's recent form is cause for concern, with no wins in their last four matches in a run that has seen Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s side draw with Haiti and Canada, and lose to Mexico and Ukraine.
With just four months to go until the start of their next UEFA Nations League campaign, Gunnlaugsson will likely want to experiment against Japan and in their next friendly against Argentina in June, hence why he has selected 32 players for both matches.
Within that squad is 17-year-old Viktor Dagason, who could become the face of Icelandic football for years to come.
Japan vs Iceland form guide & betting tips
| Japan | vs | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
W
W
W
W
W
|
Form |
W
L
L
D
D
|
| 10 | Goals For | 5 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 7 |
W
W
W
W
W
|
International Friendly form |
W
L
L
D
D
|
Whispers Predicts: Japan 3-0 Iceland
Japan are a significantly better side than Iceland and have more incentive to treat this match seriously. Japan to win with a -1.5 handicap has been best priced at 8/11.
Japan have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions. Iceland to score under 0.5 goals has been priced at 10/11.
Ayase Ueda is the top international goalscorer in the Japan squad with 16 goals. Ueda to score anytime has been priced at 10/11.
> Japan to win (-1.5 handicap) at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Probable
> Iceland to score under 0.5 goals at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> Ayase Ueda to score anytime at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Possible