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Japan secure second place as Sugawara starts
WORLD CUP ROUND-UP: JAPAN DRAW 1-1 WITH SWEDEN
26/06/26 | 2 Min
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Yukinari Sugawara and Japan secured second place as the Samurai Blue drew 1-1 with Sweden on the final matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, finishing ahead of the Scandinavians in Group F. Werder’s Sugawara made his third appearance of the tournament and marked his first World Cup start by playing the full 90 minutes.
Asia’s record champions initially struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Werder full-back Sugawara still showed his usual attacking intent, though, getting a shot away from the edge of the box shortly before the break, but Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Zetterström was equal to it.
Japan raised the tempo after the restart and played with far greater freedom. Daizen Maeda finished off a slick team move, which Sugawara had also been involved in, to make it 1-0 in the 56th minute.
Sweden, who needed a win to finish second, responded well and equalised just six minutes later through a stunning strike from Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga. The Samurai Blue then had to survive a nervy closing spell, with goalkeeper Zion Suzuki making several important saves to protect Japan’s second-place finish.
The Netherlands won their final game to finish top of Group F. Sugawara and Japan will now face record world champions Brazil in the round of 32. The knockout tie will take place in Houston, Texas on Monday, 29th June 2026 at 19:00 CEST.
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