In-depth Analysis
Japan are emerging as one of the most impressive teams at the 2026 World Cup. After a spirited 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their opening match, the Asian side further demonstrated their quality with a convincing 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the second round. Those performances highlight the excellent form and growing confidence of Hajime Moriyasu's squad ahead of the final group-stage match.
At the moment, Japan are level on four points with the Netherlands but sit behind due to an inferior goal difference. This means they still have a great opportunity to finish top of the group if they can defeat Sweden in the upcoming encounter. On paper, a draw would be enough to secure a place in the knockout stage, but Japan's ambitions clearly extend beyond simply qualifying.
Following the win over Tunisia, coach Hajime Moriyasu emphasized that his team's objective is to secure victory and finish at the top of the group. The Japanese manager wants his players to maintain their proactive approach, score more goals, and keep another clean sheet, just as they did in their previous outing.
Japan's confidence is well justified when considering Sweden's recent performances. The Scandinavian side made a strong start by beating Tunisia 5-1 but then suffered a heavy defeat by the same scoreline against the Netherlands. Those contrasting results highlight the inconsistency that has affected Graham Potter's team.
Even Sweden's victory over Tunisia did not fully prove their superiority. They were largely efficient in taking their chances against a weaker opponent. When facing stronger and better-organized teams, Sweden have shown vulnerabilities in both defense and game management.
Looking at recent form, the gap between the two sides is quite noticeable. Sweden have won only three of their last twelve matches, while Japan are unbeaten in nine consecutive games. Their consistency and confidence make the Samurai Blue one of the toughest teams to face at the moment.
Furthermore, Japan possess greater World Cup experience in recent years. Their maturity, tactical discipline, and ability to handle pressure in major tournaments give them an additional edge. If they continue performing at this level, Japan have every reason to believe they can secure another victory and finish the group stage as table leaders.