Updated: 2026-07-01 | Results and data follow FIFA’s official announcements; please re-confirm live information.
Japan and Sweden shared the points in a 1-1 draw in their final Group F match at Dallas Stadium in Arlington. A cagey first half offered few clear openings, and the deadlock was only broken after the interval. In the 56th minute, slick interplay between Ritsu Doan and Daizen Maeda on the edge of the Sweden box ended with Maeda sliding the ball home to put the Samurai Blue in front. The lead lasted just six minutes: in the 62nd minute, Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga curled a low left-footed shot from the edge of the area into the bottom-left corner to level the score, his second goal in as many World Cup games. Neither side found a winner thereafter, and the game passed without a red card, a VAR overturn or a penalty.
The draw sent both teams through. Japan finished second in Group F on five points (one win, two draws, +4 goal difference), advancing alongside group winners the Netherlands on seven. Sweden took third on four points and progressed as one of the eight best third-placed teams, while bottom side Tunisia went out having lost all three matches with a minus-10 goal difference. Japan now face five-time champions Brazil in a mouth-watering Round of 32 tie in Texas, while Sweden face the daunting test of tournament favourites France. For the full schedule and broadcast details, see the World Cup Canada hub and the where to watch in Canada; all subsequent changes follow FIFA’s official announcements.
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