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Japan and Sweden will square off in Texas on Friday in the final round of games in World Cup group F.
Both sides have the chance to guarantee a round-of-32 place with a victory, while a draw would be enough to see Japan finish in the top two and both nations could progress thanks to the best third-placed spots.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, as well as our best 2026 World Cup betting offers and free bets.
Japan vs. Sweden key stats
- Japan have reached the knockout stage of the last two World Cups.
- Japan are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions, winning seven.
- Sweden are unbeaten in four H2Hs on record – winning one and drawing three.
- Sweden have scored six goals and conceded six goals in their two games at this year's World Cup.
Japan vs. Sweden preview: Can both nations book knockout places?
| Japan | vs | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | FIFA Ranking | 36 |
| Yuto Nagatomo (145) | Most Caps | Victor Lindelof (78) |
| Ayase Ueda (18) | Most Goals | Viktor Gyokeres (21) |
| 828 | Total Caps | 551 |
| 116 | Total Goals | 71 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Japan return to World Cup action in Texas aiming to secure their top-two finish in group F knowing a victory or draw would be enough.
The Samurai Blue headed into the summer's tournament in fine form, having won their previous six friendlies and 13 of 16 qualifying matches to punch their ticket to an eighth straight World Cup with the previous two ending in the round of 16.
On the back of a warm-up win over Iceland, they faced a tough start against Netherlands and drew 2-2 having fallen behind twice, with Daichi Kamada's 87th-minute equaliser earning them a point.
A clash with Tunisia in Moterrey then followed, and Hajime Moriyasu's team moved into a strong position to qualify with a dominant 4-0 victory, as Kamada was again on the scoresheet alongside Ayase Ueda's brace and Junya Ito's goal.
Now heading into the final round of fixtures with confidence, albeit with Takefusa Kubo likely confined to the treatment room alongside Wataru Endo, who missed the tournament through an injury in preparation, Japan can guarantee a first or-second-placed finish in the group if they avoid defeat, while a loss could still see them qualify as one of the best third-placed teams on four points.
Their opponents, meanwhile, head to Texas needing to get the better of Japan to crack the top two with the eight third-placed spots for the round of 32 also offering them an additional lifeline.
Sweden failed to win a game in their European World Cup qualifying group but earned a spot in a playoff thanks to their UEFA Nations League performance and got past Ukraine and Poland to make their return to the global stage in United States, Canada and Mexico after missing the 2022 tournament.
They headed to the tournament under Graham Potter on the back of a loss and draw in friendlies but made a flying start to the group stage, thrashing Tunisia 5-1 as Yasin Ayari hit a brace alongside goals from Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Matthias Svanberg.
The Blagult failed to build on that against Netherlands last time out, though, falling to a 5-1 beating of their own with Anthony Elanga's goal on the gour mark nothing more than a consolation.
Now sitting third on three points, with a victory putting them second and automatically through, and a draw bound to at least help their cause as one of the best third-placed teams, having shown their dangerous attack and defensive frailties thus far with star men Isak and Gyokeres up and running, Sweden will bid for all three points to progress on Friday.
Japan vs. Sweden form guide & betting tips
| Japan | vs | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
WWWDW |
Form | WLDWL |
| 9 | Goals For | 12 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 13 |
DW |
WORLD CUP | WL |
Whispers predicts: Japan 2-1 Sweden
While Japan have been in fine defensive form in recent games, Sweden games often guarantee goals, with their last six seeing four or more each and both teams scoring in each of their last eight games. Given the quality of both nations and the high stakes we fancy Both Teams to Score at 4/6 (1.67).
In Gyokeres and Isak, Sweden boast one of the most dangerous attacks at the World Cup. With Alexander Isak off the mark in the opener, and having contributed three assists in their first two group games – with good opportunities to assist fellow marksman Gyokeres and the likes of Elanga – we give him the edge and back the Liverpool man to score or assist at 6/5 (2.20).
Both sides have had nine corners each thus far in two World Cup group games, and with a result so pivotal for both nations – particularly if Sweden take a lead and second spot early in the game – we envisage both setting up in an attacking way. Over 9 corners in the match is priced at 10/11 (1.91).
> Both Teams to Score at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Likely
> Alexander Isak to score or assist at 6/5 (2.20) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 9 corners at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable