FIFA World Cup 2026: Japan and Sweden reach knockouts with 1-1 draw

Arlington (US): Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead and Anthony Elanga took it away six minutes later, giving Sweden a 1-1 draw Thursday night that sent both teams to the knockout round of the World Cup.

Japan is advancing out of the group stage for the third consecutive World Cup and fifth time in seven tries since first reaching the round of 16 as co-hosts in 2002. The Japanese team finished second in Group F behind the Netherlands and will play Brazil in Houston on Monday.

The Swedes have advanced to the knockout round the past four times they have qualified for the World Cup going back to 1994, when they reached the semifinals the last time the US hosted soccer's biggest event.


Also Read: FIFA World Cup: Sweden's Elanga earns draw with Japan to keep their hopes alive

Maeda scored Japan's seventh goal of the tournament, the country's most for an entire World Cup. That topped the six the Japanese scored while reaching the round of 16 in Russia eight years ago.