Japan v Sweden: 2026 World Cup Prediction

So far, it’s been a remarkable tournament for Sweden. For starters, it’s a miracle they’re even here. After two matches, they’ve beaten Tunisia 5-1 and lost to the Netherlands 1-5. Things can sure take a turn in Scandinavia. Their final group opponent is Japan, which, along with the Netherlands, will determine who takes home the group title. Or can the Swedes pull off another surprise? Here’s our Japan vs. Sweden prediction.

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Japan vs. Sweden Preview

There’s still a lot at stake in Group F. Japan is tied with the Netherlands for first place with four points and needs only a draw against Sweden to officially qualify for the next round. Sweden follows with three points and must win to overtake Japan. If they lose, the Scandinavians will be dependent on the result of the match between the Netherlands and Tunisia. Read more about both teams below.

Current Form & Team News

Japan

Samurai Blue has made an excellent impression so far at the 2026 World Cup. In the opening match, Japan fought back impressively to earn a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, thanks to goals from Ao Tanaka and Daichi Kamada. That was followed by a convincing 4-0 victory over Tunisia, with goals from Daichi Kamada, Junya Ito, and a brace from Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda. The agile forward’s final header, in particular, was one for the books. Still, they’ll need to be on their guard, as Sweden is typically the kind of team where you never know what to expect. Will the Japanese secure one more victory?

Sweden

Sweden is having a mixed 2026 World Cup so far. The Scandinavians got off to an excellent start with a convincing 5-1 victory over Tunisia, but then suffered a major setback themselves with a 5-1 loss to the Netherlands. Viktor Gyökeres, along with Alexander Isak and Yasin Ayari, stood out against Tunisia, while Anthony Elanga got on the scoreboard against the Netherlands. Can Graham Potter shore things up a bit, with the strong offense making the difference? Or is Japan just a cut above the rest?

Head-to-Head

Japan and Sweden have faced each other only three times before, and the head-to-head record is remarkably close. Both teams have won once, while one match ended in a draw. Their most recent meeting was in 2021, when Japan won 1-0 thanks to a goal by Junya Ito. Their history suggests an exciting matchup, as neither team was able to pull away decisively in any of their three previous encounters.

Expected Lineups

Japan (4-3-3):

Suzuki, H. Ito, Tomiyasu, Itakura, Nakamura, Sano, Kamada, Doan, Tanaka, Ueda, J. Ito

Sweden (3-5-2):

Nordfeldt, Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelöf, Gudmundsson, Ayari, Kärlstrom, Bernhardsson, Bergvall, Isak, Gyökeres

Japan vs. Sweden Betting Tips

Betting Tip 1: Over 2.5 Goals – Yes

It’s never been a dull moment when Japan and Sweden have taken the field. Goals have been flying left and right, and both teams have put on some impressive offensive displays. Still, some caution is warranted, as Japan only needs a draw and therefore doesn’t have to go all out on the attack. Nevertheless, we believe over 2.5 goals is a realistic scenario. A bet on over 2.5 goals at Oranje Palace pays out at odds of 1.74.

Betting Tip 2: Daichi Kamada scores a goal

Daichi Kamada is one of Japan’s standout players at this 2026 World Cup. The Crystal Palace attacking midfielder has found the back of the net in both group stage matches and appears to be in top form at just the right time. With his clever runs between the lines, he can cause Sweden trouble, just as we saw the Dutch national team do in the previous round of matches. Will Kamada score three in a row? We think so! A goal by Daichi Kamada at Oranje Palace will earn you attractive odds of 5.10.

Japan vs. Sweden Prediction

** Final Score: Japan 2–1 Sweden **
Sweden dominated Tunisia, but their match against the Netherlands also exposed their vulnerabilities. In Japan, the Scandinavians face another high-caliber opponent. The Japanese have made a strong impression so far and found the back of the net with ease in both group stage matches. That’s why we expect Japan to come out on top in the end.