Players of Japan pose for a team photo before during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Japan and Sweden at Dallas Stadium on June 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas.
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Getty Images via AFP
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said his side were focused solely on beating “a very strong” Sweden in their final group match and hoping that would be enough to finish top of Group F.If Japan achieve a better result against the Swedes in Dallas on Thursday than the Netherlands do against already-eliminated Tunisia, they will advance in first place from the group and avoid Brazil in the last 32.The group winners will face Morocco in Monterrey with the runners-up taking on the five-time World Cup champions in Houston the same day.A draw would be enough to secure qualification for the Japanese. Sweden were crushed 5-1 by the Netherlands, but Moriyasu is wary of their potent attacking threat led by Premier League marksmen Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres.(With inputs from agencies)Follow below for live updates:June 26, 2026 05:05 34:40 Start DelayDelay in match because of an injury Isak Hien (Sweden).free kickJune 26, 2026 05:05 34:11 Free Kick LostFoul by Ao Tanaka (Japan).free kickJune 26, 2026 05:04 34:11 Free Kick WonYasin Ayari (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.yellow cardJune 26, 2026 05:02 31:18 Yellow CardIsak Hien (Sweden) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.free kickJune 26, 2026 05:01 31:14 Free Kick WonAyase Ueda (Japan) wins a free kick on the left wing.free kickJune 26, 2026 05:01 31:14 Free Kick LostFoul by Isak Hien (Sweden).free kickJune 26, 2026 04:59 28:33 Free Kick LostFoul by Elliot Stroud (Sweden).free kickJune 26, 2026 04:58 28:33 Free Kick WonYukinari Sugawara (Japan) wins a free kick on the right wing.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:58 27:19 Free Kick LostFoul by Ayase Ueda (Japan).free kickJune 26, 2026 04:57 27:19 Free Kick WonIsak Hien (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.June 26, 2026 04:57 26:42 End DelayDelay over. They are ready to continue.June 26, 2026 04:57 23:41 Start DelayDelay in match for a drinks break.June 26, 2026 04:51 21:04 MissAttempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Japan) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Hiroki Ito with a cross.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:46 16:40 Free Kick WonYasin Ayari (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:46 16:40 Free Kick LostFoul by Ao Tanaka (Japan).free kickJune 26, 2026 04:46 15:01 Free Kick LostFoul by Hiroki Ito (Japan).free kickJune 26, 2026 04:46 15:01 Free Kick WonAnthony Elanga (Sweden) wins a free kick on the right wing.June 26, 2026 04:46 14:32 Attempt BlockedAttempt blocked. Ritsu Doan (Japan) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Keito Nakamura.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:40 9:13 Free Kick WonAnthony Elanga (Sweden) wins a free kick in the attacking half.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:40 9:13 Free Kick LostFoul by Ao Tanaka (Japan).free kickJune 26, 2026 04:38 8' Free Kick WonAyase Ueda (Japan) wins a free kick on the right wing.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:38 8' Free Kick LostFoul by Gabriel Gudmundsson (Sweden).off sideJune 26, 2026 04:37 6:49 OffsideOffside, Japan. Ayase Ueda is caught offside.June 26, 2026 04:35 5:17 Attempt SavedAttempt saved. Alexander Bernhardsson (Sweden) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Zion Suzuki (Japan). Assisted by Alexander Isak.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:33 3:24 Free Kick WonYasin Ayari (Sweden) wins a free kick in the defensive half.free kickJune 26, 2026 04:33 3:24 Free Kick LostFoul by Ritsu Doan (Japan).cornerJune 26, 2026 04:31 1:11 CornerCorner, Sweden. Conceded by Ritsu Doan.cornerJune 26, 2026 04:31 First half CornerCorner, Sweden. Conceded by Ao Tanaka.June 26, 2026 04:30 First half StartFirst Half begins.June 26, 2026 04:30 LineupLineups are announced and players are warming up. Published - June 26, 2026 04:36 am IST
