Japan Draw 1-1 With Sweden, Secure 2nd Place and a Round-of-32 Spot

Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in their Group F finale at AT&T Stadium in Dallas/Arlington on June 25, 2026. The result was exactly what Japan needed. The single point clinched second place in the group and a berth in the Round of 32 — the first knockout round of the new 48-team format. Sweden, who needed a win to overtake Japan, were held and dropped to third.

Japan led through Daizen Maeda, set up by Ritsu Doan, before Anthony Elanga curled in Sweden's second-half equalizer to make it 1-1. A Sweden victory would have flipped the standings, putting Sweden second and Japan third. Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki preserved the point with key late saves, including one against Alexander Isak, to keep the draw intact.

Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F, beating Tunisia 3-1 to finish on 7 points (2W-1D). The win came via a Skhiri own goal, Brian Brobbey and Jan Paul van Hecke. The final Group F table reads: 1. Netherlands, 7 pts (+6); 2. Japan, 5 pts (1W-2D, GF7 GA3, +4); 3. Sweden, 4 pts (GF7 GA7, GD 0); 4. Tunisia, 0 pts (GF2 GA12, -10).

Sweden finished third in Group F on 4 points with a goal difference of 0 — a strong position in the best-third (wildcard) race, in which the eight best of the 12 third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. With Groups E and F now complete, 4 points and a goal difference of 0 ranks Sweden among the very best third-placed sides, leaving them effectively secured rather than a 100% irreversible mathematical lock, since the group stage runs through June 27. Tunisia, bottom of the group with no points, are eliminated.

With Group F now settled, other groups are still finishing and the Round-of-32 bracket continues to take shape. Follow the latest standings, remaining permutations and the third-placed wildcard race on our live standings (/), scenarios (/scenarios) and best-third (/third-place) pages.