Sweden is set to play Japan on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in their final Group F World Cup match at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Sitting third in Group F, Sweden has 3 points, one behind Japan and the Netherlands, who each have 4 [1, 2, 5, 7].

Sweden’s previous matches included a 5-1 win over Tunisia and a heavy 5-1 loss to the Netherlands [1, 2, 4, 5, 7]. Japan remains unbeaten in the group after a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and a 4-0 victory against Tunisia [2, 5, 7].

Sweden coach Graham Potter emphasized the need for a tighter defense against Japan. He warned, "We have to be compact as a team defensively. I think with Japan, because of their coordination, because of their organisation, because of how synchronised they are, if the pitch is big and we're defending big areas, then it's going to be a tough day" [1]. Potter added, "We can't defend in the way that we did, we have to improve that situation" [2].

Japan's attacking threats lie in their collective play rather than individual stars. Potter said, "Whoever plays offers a threat, it's not about individuals with the Japanese team. I think their biggest strength is collectively. You don't know who's going to play, you can't second-guess their position. They have a collective threat in attack, a collective defense and that's something we have to be very, very aware of" [7]. He also noted, "Japan are strong on the wings and they're strong through the middle as well, so we meet a very good team and we have to make sure that we are better than we were in that respect" [2].

Potter highlighted Sweden’s key attacking players including Alexander Isak, who has dealt with injuries this season, and Viktor Gyokeres, fresh off a Premier League title with Arsenal. "Although the season he has had has been disrupted by injury, Alex is still a top, top player," Potter said [7]. He expressed confidence rather than fear against Japan, saying, "I don't think it will be fear, I think it's respect" and "Respect for what they've achieved, in terms of one has won the Premier League and one has had a great career and a big move to a top team" [2].

Sweden announced lineup changes for the match: Anthony Elanga replaces Benjamin Nygren; Elliot Stroud replaces Jesper Karlstrom; and goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom starts instead of Kristoffer Nordfeldt [3, 6]. Japan also made three changes to their winning lineup against Tunisia, including Yukinari Sugawara, Ayumu Seko, and Daizen Maeda entering the starting eleven [3, 6].

Daichi Kamada has scored in both group games for Japan, while Ayase Ueda scored twice and assisted once against Tunisia, marking him a key offensive figure [2, 5, 7].

Potter took over as Sweden’s coach in October 2025 [1]. The match today will determine crucial positioning before the knockout stages.