Japan vs Sweden
Japan and Sweden share spoils in World Cup stalemate
A balanced encounter sees Maeda and Elanga trade blows for a 1-1 draw.
Japan took the lead shortly after the break through D. Maeda, only for Sweden's A. Elanga to level the score six minutes later. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, reflecting a well-matched contest between the two sides. Fipster's prediction of a draw was spot on, with the model confidently calling the exact scoreline.
Analysis
Japan and Sweden meet in their final group stage match, both aiming to secure valuable points as they jostle for qualification. With neither side dominating the group, this fixture promises a tactical and closely fought battle.
Japan enter this match with 1 point from 1 game played in the tournament, currently sitting third in their group. Sweden have played 2 matches, earning 3 points and holding second place. Both teams have a history of World Cup appearances: Japan with 7 and a best finish of Round of 16, and Sweden with 12 appearances and a runners-up finish in 1958. Neither team is hosting the tournament, so the match will be played on neutral ground.
Squad calibre is evenly matched, with Japan fielding 46% of players from top-5 European leagues and Sweden slightly ahead at 54%. Key players such as Japan's Daichi Kamada and Sweden's Alexander Isak bring quality and goal threat to their respective sides. Recent form is competitive but not dominant, with Japan holding 2 points from 2 recent matches and Sweden on 3 points. Both teams are likely to approach this game cautiously, balancing attack and defence as they seek to avoid defeat.
Prediction
Given the parity in squad strength and recent form, a draw is the most probable outcome. The prediction favours a 1-1 scoreline, with a goalless first half reflecting cautious play. Expect a total of around four cards as both sides contest the match with intensity but without reckless abandon.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Japan's Midfield Scoring Edge
Kamada and Nakamura outperform league averages in goals and contribute defensively, giving Japan a balanced midfield threat.
Sweden's Home Scoring Momentum
Ayari and Isak show strong home form with multiple goals and assists, boosting Sweden's attacking confidence.
Ueda's Recent Goal Surge
Ueda's 2 goals and assist in last match indicate peak form, likely to influence Japan's attack.
Taniguchi's Passing Precision
Taniguchi's near-perfect passing accuracy supports Japan's build-up play, potentially exploiting Sweden's defense.
No Key Injuries Reported
Both teams have full squads available, ensuring tactical plans can be executed without forced changes.
Key Takeaways
This encounter between Japan and Sweden is set to be a tight affair, with neither side able to assert clear dominance. Fans can anticipate a competitive match that ends evenly, leaving both teams with a share of the points as they continue their World Cup campaigns.
- Japan have appeared in 7 World Cups, best finish Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022).
- Sweden have appeared in 12 World Cups, best finish runners-up (1958).
- Japan have 46% of their squad playing in top-5 European leagues.
- Sweden have 54% of their squad playing in top-5 European leagues.
- Japan currently have 1 point from 1 group match in this tournament.
- Sweden currently have 3 points from 2 group matches in this tournament.
- Neither Japan nor Sweden are hosts of the 2026 World Cup.
- Both teams have full squads available with no key injuries reported.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Japan
Away — Sweden
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Hien
Yellow Card
Hien
Itakura
Maeda
Assist: Dōan
Elanga
Assist: Gyökeres
Ueda
Dōan
Stroud
Bernhardsson
Seko
Nakamura
Taniguchi
Yellow Card
Gyökeres
Yellow Card
Lindelöf
Gudmundsson
Match Statistics
Japan
3-4-3Starting XI
- 1Zion SuzukiG
- 2Yukinari SugawaraD
- 4Ko ItakuraD
- 7Ao TanakaM
- 10Ritsu DōanM
- 11Daizen MaedaF
- 13Keito NakamuraF
- 15Daichi KamadaM
- 18Ayase UedaF
- 20Ayumu SekoD
- 21Hiroki ItoD
Substitutes
- 3Shogo TaniguchiD
- 5Yuto NagatomoD
- 6Shuto MachinoF
- 9Keisuke GotoF
- 12Keisuke OsakoG
- 14Junya ItoF
- 16Tsuyoshi WatanabeD
- 17Yuito SuzukiM
- 19Koki OgawaF
- 22Takehiro TomiyasuD
- 23Tomoki HayakawaG
- 24Kaishu SanoM
- 25Junnosuke SuzukiD
- 26Kento ShiogaiF
Sweden
3-4-1-2Starting XI
- 1Jacob Mikael Widell ZetterströmG
- 2Gustaf Johan LagerbielkeD
- 3Victor Jörgen Nilsson LindelöfD
- 4Isak Malcolm Kwaku HienD
- 5Gabriel Johan GudmundssonD
- 9Alexander IsakF
- 11Anthony David Junior ElangaF
- 17Viktor Einar GyökeresF
- 18Yasin Abbas AyariM
- 21Alexander Olof BernhardssonF
- 24Elliot Karl StroudD
Substitutes
- 6Herman Nils JohanssonD
- 7Lucas Erik Holger BergvallM
- 8Daniel SvenssonD
- 10Erik Benjamin NygrenF
- 12Viktor Tobias JohanssonG
- 13Kenneth Nlata SemaM
- 14Hjalmar EkdalD
- 15Carl Anders Theodor StarfeltD
- 16Jesper Kewe KarlströmM
- 19Mattias Olof SvanbergM
- 20Eric Anders SmithD
- 22Besfort ZeneliM
- 23Bo Kristoffer NordfeldtG
- 25Håkan Gustaf NilssonF
- 26Taha Abdi AliF
Japan
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Tanaka | M | 45 | 7.4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Z. Suzuki | G | 45 | 7.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D. Kamada | M | 45 | 7.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Keito Nakamura | F | 45 | 7.0 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2/3 |
| H. Ito | D | 45 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| K. Itakura | D | 39 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D. Maeda | F | 45 | 6.8 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| R. Dōan | M | 45 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| S. Taniguchi | D | 6 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Seko | D | 45 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Y. Sugawara | D | 45 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| A. Ueda | F | 45 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Hayakawa | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Suzuki | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Goto | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Shiogai | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Y. Nagatomo | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Ito | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Tomiyasu | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Watanabe | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Osako | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Koki Ogawa | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Sano | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Machino | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Y. Suzuki | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Sweden
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G. Gudmundsson | D | 45 | 7.1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Isak | F | 45 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| I. Hien | D | 37 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| V. Lindelöf | D | 45 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Lagerbielke | D | 45 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| E. Stroud | D | 45 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Y. Ayari | M | 45 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| A. Elanga | F | 45 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. Bergvall | M | 8 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| V. Gyökeres | F | 45 | 6.4 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| A. Bernhardsson | F | 45 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1/1 |
| J. Widell Zetterström | G | 45 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Nordfeldt | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| K. Sema | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| E. Smith | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| G. Nilsson | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| M. Svanberg | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| H. Ekdal | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| C. Starfelt | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| B. Nygren | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Karlström | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| V. Johansson | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| T. Ali | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| H. Johansson | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| D. Svensson | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| B. Zeneli | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |