No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Yasin Ayari2 - 2
Ayase Ueda2 - 3Daichi Kamada2
- 4Mattias Svanberg1
- 5Anthony Elanga1
- 6Viktor Gyökeres1
- 7Alexander Isak1
- 8Keito Nakamura1
- 9Junya Ito1
- 1Viktor Gyökeres10
- 2Yasin Ayari7
- 3Ayase Ueda6
- 4Alexander Isak4
- 5Keito Nakamura4
- 6Daichi Kamada2
- 7Junya Ito2
- 8Koki Ogawa2
- 9Takefusa Kubo1
- 10Besfort Zeneli1
- 1Yasin Ayari4
- 2Ao Tanaka4
- 3Gustaf Lagerbielke4
- 4Isak Hien3
- 5Keito Nakamura3
- 6Daichi Kamada3
- 7Kaishu Sano2
- 8Tsuyoshi Watanabe2
- 9Ritsu Doan2
- 10Jesper Karlström2
- 1Alexander Isak3
- 2Takefusa Kubo1
- 3Kaishu Sano1
- 4Ko Itakura1
- 5Viktor Gyökeres1
- 6Lucas Bergvall1
- 7Ayase Ueda1
- 8Keito Nakamura1
- 9Koki Ogawa1
- 1Viktor Gyökeres7
- 2Alexander Isak6
- 3Ayase Ueda3
- 4Junya Ito3
- 5Ko Itakura2
- 6Lucas Bergvall2
- 7Keito Nakamura2
- 8Jesper Karlström2
- 9Daichi Kamada2
- 10Taha Ali2
- 1Victor Lindelöf107
- 2Hiroki Ito106
- 3Isak Hien102
- 4Kaishu Sano96
- 5Ko Itakura85
- 6Takehiro Tomiyasu83
- 7Gustaf Lagerbielke80
- 8Ao Tanaka72
- 9Daichi Kamada71
- 10Keito Nakamura53
- 1Keito Nakamura3
- 2Benjamin Nygren2
- 3Ayase Ueda2
- 4Yasin Ayari1
- 5Anthony Elanga1
- 6Viktor Gyökeres1
- 7Lucas Bergvall1
- 8Alexander Isak1
- 9Gustaf Lagerbielke1
- 10Jesper Karlström1
- 1Victor Lindelöf4
- 2Kaishu Sano3
- 3Alexander Bernhardsson2
- 4Isak Hien1
- 5Yasin Ayari1
- 6Takefusa Kubo1
- 7Takehiro Tomiyasu1
- 8Ko Itakura1
- 9Lucas Bergvall1
- 10Hiroki Ito1
Japan face a defining Group F finale when they take on Sweden at the 2026 World Cup on Friday. Kick-off is scheduled for midnight (UK time) on Friday 26th June at AT&T Stadium, Arlington.
Japan sit in second spot in Group F with four points after a dominant 4-0 win over Tunisia on matchday two – becoming the first Asian side to score four goals in a single World Cup match. Sweden suffered a major setback when the Netherlands hammered them 5-1 on matchday two, leaving their knockout hopes hanging in the balance. Three points remain their only safe route into the last 32.
Japan vs Sweden predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayase Ueda to score anytime | 13/8 @ Sky Bet (38.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ueda has been Japan’s most dangerous attacking presence at this tournament. He scored twice and provided an assist against Tunisia — becoming the first Japanese player to achieve both in a single World Cup match. The Feyenoord striker combines intelligent movement with a ruthless finishing instinct that Sweden’s defence will struggle to contain. Sweden’s backline looked badly exposed against the Netherlands and conceded five goals. Ueda will get his chances in Arlington, and his conversion rate at this tournament makes him the standout selection. |
| Japan to win and under 3.5 goals | 9/5 @ BOYLE Sports (35.7%) | ⭐⭐ | Japan have looked the more cohesive and controlled side across two group games. Their wins over England and Scotland in pre-tournament friendlies showed a tactical discipline that suits big occasions. Sweden must attack to secure their knockout place, which will open space on the counter — exactly the conditions that suit Japan’s direct, fast-transitioning game. A narrow Japan win reflects their superior organisation and momentum heading into Friday’s fixture. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into Japan vs Sweden
Japan
Japan arrive in Arlington in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten run that includes wins over Brazil and England. Hajime Moriyasu has built a side that combines defensive discipline with rapid, direct counter-attacking football. Ayase Ueda headlined their attacking show against Tunisia, bagging a brace and providing an assist. Daichi Kamada netted inside four minutes – Japan’s earliest-ever World Cup goal – to set the tone.
The Samurai Blue enter this fixture knowing a win seals their route out of Group F. Their ability to compete against elite European opposition was demonstrated emphatically in the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on matchday one. Japan absorbed pressure, stayed compact and punished their opponents on the counter. They will look to replicate that blueprint against a Sweden side that must attack in Arlington.
Japan have scored in each of their last nine fixtures. That consistency in front of goal, combined with the structure Moriyasu has instilled, makes them the form team in Group F heading into the final matchday.
Sweden
Sweden enter this match carrying the damage of a chastening matchday two. Graham Potter’s side beat Tunisia 5-1 on matchday one before losing by the same scoreline to the Netherlands – Sweden’s heaviest World Cup defeat since being thrashed 7-1 by Brazil in 1950. The contrast between those two performances left Potter facing uncomfortable questions about his defensive organisation.
Three points on the board keeps Sweden in a reasonable position, however. A win here guarantees a top-two finish. A draw could still see them advance as one of the best third-placed sides, but defeat likely ends their tournament. Potter will demand a response in Texas after the Netherlands exposed his backline so ruthlessly.
Sweden now possess one of the most dangerous strike partnerships at the tournament in Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak. Both carry a genuine goal threat every time they receive the ball in advanced positions. Seven of Sweden’s last eight matches have featured at least four goals – and with both sides needing a result, Arlington could deliver an open, entertaining finale to Group F.
Japan team news
Takefusa Kubo was forced off during the first match against the Netherlands and will not feature until the knockout rounds. His absence removes Japan’s most creative wide threat from the starting line-up. Moriyasu is not expected to make significant changes beyond that enforced reshuffle.
Shuto Machino should return after missing the Tunisia game through illness, giving Moriyasu an additional attacking option from the bench. Zion Suzuki continues in goal behind a back three of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ko Itakura and Hiroki Ito. Ritsu Doan, Kota Sano, Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura operate across the midfield, with Junya Ito and Daichi Kamada in support of Ueda up front.
Captain Wataru Endo misses the tournament entirely through injury – a significant absence in midfield that Japan have managed well across the first two group games.
Sweden team news
Despite failing to keep the Netherlands’ attack at bay, centre-backs Karl Hein and Victor Lindelöf should retain their places in the Swedish starting eleven. Potter faces selection questions across his defensive line following the capitulation against the Dutch and must find solutions to keep Japan’s counter-attacking threat at bay.
Anthony Elanga pushes for his first start of the tournament after impressing from the bench against the Netherlands. His pace and directness make him a genuine option on the right flank against a Japan side that can be exposed behind their advancing full-backs.
Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak both start and lead Sweden’s attack. The pair have combined effectively across the first two group games and carry Sweden’s primary goal threat in Arlington. Lucas Bergvall could earn a starting berth in central midfield after an impressive cameo against the Netherlands.
Head-to-Head
Japan and Sweden have met on four previous occasions, with three matches ending in stalemates and Sweden winning one. Japan have never beaten Sweden across their four previous meeting. Friday’s clash in Arlington gives the Samurai Blue the chance to win a head-to-head series against Sweden for the first time.
Who will come out on top and advance from Group F?
Both nations enter Friday’s fixture knowing exactly what is at stake. Win and you’re through, lose and you’re fate is in the hands of other nations.
We’re backing Ayase Ueda to add to his tournament tally in Arlington. Sky Bet are offering 13/8 for Ueda to score anytime and this reflects his outstanding form and finishing quality against a Sweden defence that shipped five goals to the Netherlands.
For a combined play, Japan to win and under 3.5 goals at 9/5 with BOYLE Sports reflects the Samurai Blue’s superior organisation, counter-attacking threat and the controlled nature of their World Cup performances so far.
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