Japan is drawing 1-1 with Sweden at the World Cup to finish second in Group F | World Cup 2026

Goals from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Elanga were enough for both teams to advance to the Round of 32.

Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan as both sides confirmed progress to the World Cup after Anthony Elanga scored in the 62nd minute to keep his side level on points in Group F.

Elanga struck six minutes after Daizen Maeda completed a superb move for Japan, who finished second in the group with five points to reach the final 32 and five-time world champion. Brazil.

The Swedes remain third with four points, and this will be enough to secure one of the eight places available in the next round for the third-placed teams out of 12 groups.

The points were shared after a cold first half that only showed signs of life before halftime on Thursday.

Keito Nakamura came close to opening the scoring, the Japanese winger hitting a low first-time effort from Maeda’s layup that forced Jacob Widell Zetterstrom to make a long save to push the ball around his left post.

Viktor Gyokeres then found space at the other end to drive in a goal, deflecting from Shogo Taniguchi and unleashing a shot that came off the mark.

The Japanese came out of the second half with a goal, and Ao Tanaka’s strike showed that Hajime Moriyasu’s side will not be content to sit back and take points.

The development of their game was rewarded when Maeda used the finish to the goal of the team managed by Ritsu Doan.

The striker received a return pass from Ayase Ueda as he cut in from the right and slotted the ball between the Swedish defenders for the unmarked Maeda to fire home.

Japan’s lead was about to end in the sixth minute, however, as Elanga assisted his finish to equalize, diving in with a left foot from the corner of the Japanese defense and past an unmarked Zion Suzuki.

Suzuki had to be at his best to keep things level after three minutes and kept his left to keep out Alexander Isak’s attempt, as the Swedes began to show their quality.

And the goalkeeper was on the verge of denying Isak a second time in stoppage time, nodding to the referee in the air to ensure the Japanese finish in second place.