ARLINGTON, Texas — In the final match of Group F, Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 inside Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium).
With the Netherlands locking up first place via a 3-1 win over Tunisia, the match in Dallas was to decide second place in the group and the easier path in the Round of 32.
The result means Japan finishes second and will face Brazil in the Round of 32 in Houston on June 29. With the draw, Sweden also advances as a third-place team and will face the winner of Group I in the Round of 32 in New York. France plays Norway on Friday for first place in Group I.
Both teams will advance to the knockout rounds thanks to the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s expanded tournament, which allows a select group of third-place teams to move on from the group stage.
Daizen Maeda finally found the breakthrough for Japan during the 56th minute following a precise passing sequence near the edge of the box to give Japan a 1-0 advantage.
Minutes later, Anthony Elanga equalized for Sweden on a curling shot from outside the box that snuck right under Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki.
The first half was neutral with neither team creating many attacking chances. Swedish defender Isak Hien was subbed off in the 37th-minute for midfielder Lucas Bergvall after suffering an injury. That substitution made team captain Victor Lindelöf drop back from the midfield into his more natural position as a center back in the back three.
Japan also made an injury sub in the first half, taking off Kō Itakura for Shōgo Taniguchi.