Maeda and Elanga Share Spoils as Japan and Sweden Both Advance
Match statistics
View Group F fixtures →- Daizen Maeda 56'(Ritsu Doan)
- Anthony Elanga 62'(Viktor Gyökeres)
- Isak Hien 32'
- Shogo Taniguchi 77'
- Viktor Gyökeres 84'
HT 0–0|Poss 52–48%|Shots 8–11|SOT 3–5
Thu, Jun 25, 2026 • 18:00 (Arlington local)
Japan and Sweden drew 1–1 at Dallas Stadium as both sides advanced from Group F to the round of 32. Daizen Maeda swept home Ritsu Doan's through ball in the 56th minute after a slick one-two involving Ayase Ueda, but Anthony Elanga curled in a superb equaliser from the edge of the area six minutes later after Viktor Gyökeres' lay-off.
The stalemate was enough for both teams — Japan finish second behind the Netherlands on five points, while Sweden qualify as one of the best third-placed teams with four. Japan finished with 52% possession, eight shots and three on target to Sweden's 11 and five in front of 70,137 fans. Isak Hien, Shogo Taniguchi and Gyökeres were booked as the pace dropped after a second-half hydration break.
Japan will face five-time winners Brazil in the round of 32 in Houston on 29 June, while Sweden's last-32 opponent will be confirmed once all group stages conclude — France are among the potential match-ups. The Netherlands' win over Tunisia earlier in the evening had already confirmed top spot in the section.