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>Japan vs Sweden Predictions, Picks & Odds – 26/06/2026
World Cup · 3Japan vs Sweden – Best bets of the match
Japan vs Sweden Preview
Japan arrive in Dallas riding a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, their World Cup campaign built on clinical finishing and defensive solidity. Four wins from their last five outings underline a side brimming with confidence. Manager Hajime Moriyasu has his squad needing only a point to secure knockout qualification, though topping Group F remains the primary objective. Expect a disciplined, counter-attacking setup designed to exploit any Swedish overcommitment.
Sweden find themselves in a far more precarious position after a turbulent group stage. Graham Potter's side managed just two wins from five recent matches, and that bruising 5-1 loss to the Netherlands last time out exposed alarming defensive frailties. Nothing less than victory will guarantee their progression, forcing Potter into an offensive recalibration. Anthony Elanga could feature in a wing-back role, while Lucas Bergvall is tipped for his full World Cup debut.
Japan's recent form tells a convincing story: four wins and a draw from their last five outings, with the squad sitting second in Group F and needing only a point to secure knockout qualification. That nine-game unbeaten run is no fluke. Moriyasu's side have scored six goals in the tournament while conceding just two, a ratio that reflects genuine defensive discipline and sharp counter-attacking threat.
Sweden's situation could not be more different. A win-or-bust scenario awaits Potter's men following a mixed run of results that includes two defeats in their last five matches. The 5-1 hammering by the Netherlands exposed alarming vulnerabilities at the back, and while Elanga's energy off the bench offered a spark, the overall defensive structure needs urgent repair against a Japan side that punishes mistakes.
The double chance on Japan, covering both a home win at 2.09 and the draw at 3.35, looks the smart play here. Japan can afford to sit deep and absorb pressure, forcing Sweden to commit numbers forward and risk being caught on the break. Sweden's desperation to attack should create spaces that Moriyasu's well-drilled squad will exploit. This is a preview of an upcoming match and should not be considered as betting advice or a recommendation to place bets.
Trends to Know about Japan vs Sweden
- Japan unbeaten in nine consecutive matches
- Sweden conceded five in last outing
- Japan scored six, conceded only two
Form & Statistics: Japan vs Sweden
Japan
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Sweden
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Lineups: Japan vs Sweden
Japan
Starters
- 1 Zion Suzuki
- 2 Takehiro Tomiyasu
- 3 Ko Itakura
- 4 Hiroki Ito
- 5 Ritsu Doan
- 6 Kaishu Sano
- 7 Ao Tanaka
- 8 Keito Nakamura
- 9 Junya Ito
- 10 Daichi Kamada
- 11 Ayase Ueda
Bench
- Yukinari Sugawara
- Tsuyoshi Watanabe
- Daizen Maeda
- Yuto Nagatomo
Absent
- Wataru Endo (Foot injury, ruled out of the World Cup prior to the tournament.)
- Takefusa Kubo (Knee injury sustained during the draw with the Netherlands; will not play in the final group match against Sweden.)
- Shuto Machino (Illness.)
- Kaoru Mitoma (Injury, not in squad.)
- Takuya Minamino (Injury, failed to join the squad.)
- Kaito Mitoma (Injury, failed to join the squad.)
Sweden
Starters
- 1 Kristoffer Nordfeldt
- 2 Isak Hien
- 3 Victor Lindelöf
- 4 Gustaf Lagerbielke
- 5 Anthony Elanga
- 6 Jesper Karlström
- 7 Yasin Ayari
- 8 Gabriel Gudmundsson
- 9 Lucas Bergvall
- 10 Viktor Gyökeres
- 11 Alexander Isak
Bench
- Viktor Johansson
- Daniel Svensson
- Mattias Svanberg
- A. Bernhardsson
Absent
- Dejan Kulusevski (Knee surgery and setbacks, not in squad.)
- Eric Smith (Injury.)
Medium confidence
Both sides line up in back-three systems, setting up a fascinating 3-4-2-1 versus 3-4-1-2 contest. Japan's twin ten-zone carriers behind Ayase Ueda give them creative flexibility in tight spaces, while Sweden's double-striker axis of Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak promises relentless pressure on Japan's three-man defence.
The wide lanes will be decisive. Both formations rely heavily on wing-backs to stretch play, meaning the central midfield battle between Ao Tanaka and Lucas Bergvall could quietly determine which side controls tempo and transitions across the ninety minutes.
How to Watch Japan vs Sweden Match?
What time is Japan vs Sweden?
Japan vs Sweden kicks off on 26 June 2026 at 04:30 IST at Dallas Stadium.
Where is Japan vs Sweden being played?
This match will be played at Dallas Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
How Can I Watch Japan vs Sweden on TV and Live Stream?
Fans in India can watch Japan vs Sweden live on JioCinema and the Sony Sports Network.