Japan vs Sweden expert predictions, picks, analysis for World Cup
Seth VertelneyEditor's note: Follow our live Japan vs. Sweden updates
Japan and Sweden meet on Thursday in their Group F finale in Arlington, Texas. Both teams are jostling for position in the group.
Japan is in second place, but level with first-place Netherlands on four points. Sweden is in third with three points. Japan has been the more impressive side thus far, playing the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in its opener before hammering Tunisia 4-0. It's been a tale of two games for Sweden, which crushed Tunisia 5-1 in its opener before falling to the Netherlands by the same scoreline in its second match.
Japan will finish atop the group if it manages to better the Netherlands' result against Tunisia, which seems a tall order. But a draw against Sweden will at least guarantee a top-two finish. For Sweden, a point will almost certainly be enough to advance. A loss, however, will leave them sweating it out.
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Japan vs Sweden World Cup predictions
Seth Vertelney: Sweden 1-3 Japan
Which is the real Sweden? The one that beat Tunisia 5-1, or lost to the Netherlands 5-1? Here we are betting it's more the latter, especially against an impressive Japanese side.
Jon Arnold: Sweden 2-2 Japan
There are goals in this one, and while Sweden clearly have more at stake, Japan may have an eye on permutations as well and come out stronger than expected. It points to an entertaining stalemate.
Victoria Hernandez: Sweden 0 - 2 Japan
Sweden is simply inconsistent. Japan will take advantage to lock in its place in the Round of 32.
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How to watch Japan vs Sweden on June 25
- Matchup: Japan vs Sweden
- Date: Thursday, June 25
- Time: 7:00 PM (ET)
- Venue: AT&T Stadium
- Location: Arlington, Texas
- TV: FS1
- Streaming: FOX One App
- Spanish Broadcast: Telemundo, Peacock
Japan vs Sweden World Cup odds
World Cup standings
Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.
2026 World Cup format
The 48 competing nations are divided into 12 groups of four. Each group will play a round robin style where teams are awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32 along with the eight best third-place squads. Tiebreakers in the group standings will be resolved using the following criteria:
- Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned
- Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned
- Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned
- Superior goal difference in all group matches
- Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
- Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained
- The two or more teams still equal on points shall be ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA Men's World Ranking
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