What time does Japan vs Sweden kick off?
Japan vs Sweden Probable lineups
Where is Japan vs Sweden being played?
The Japan vs. Sweden match is being played at Dallas Stadium (the tournament's official FIFA designation for AT&T Stadium) located in Arlington, Texas.
Getty ImagesGroup F Standings & Scenarios
If Japan wins they automatically qualify for the knockout rounds. To finish 1st, they must better the Netherlands' result against Tunisia, or win by a margin that allows them to overtake the Dutch on goal difference/goals scored.
If Japan draws they automatically qualify in the top two with 5 points. They will likely finish 2nd, unless Tunisia pulls off a shock result against the Dutch.
If Japan loses they drop to 3rd place with 4 points. However, because of their healthy goal difference (+4), finishing on 4 points leaves them essentially safe to advance as one of the 8 best third-place teams.
If Sweden wins they automatically qualify in the top two with 6 points, bypassing Japan. Even better: if Sweden wins and the Netherlands draws or loses to Tunisia, Sweden will incredibly win the group.
If Sweden draws they finish 3rd place with 4 points and a 0 goal difference. While 4 points gives them a strong chance of sneaking through as a best third-place team, they will face a stressful, multi-day wait for other groups to wrap up.
If Sweden loses they stay on 3 points with a negative goal difference. While technically possible to advance on 3 points, it is highly improbable. They would likely be heading home.
In today's other Group F game, Netherlands take on Tunisia. To watch both matches at once, check out GOAL's guide to watching more than one World Cup game simultaneously.
READ MORE: Watch Tunisia vs Netherlands
Japan vs Sweden Live Streams
Japan vs Sweden is available to watch live in the United States on FS1 in English, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and UNIVERSO. All of these channels are available on Fubo who offer new customers a free five day trial of their service.
READ MORE: Today's FW2026 TV schedule
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Japan vs Sweden Match Preview
Japan and Sweden meet in a decisive Group F showdown at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Thursday, June 25, with a place in the Round of 32 on the line for both sides.
Hajime Moriyasu's Japan arrive as the group's form team. After drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands on matchday one, the Samurai Blue produced a commanding 4-0 win over Tunisia, with Ayase Ueda scoring twice to put Japan firmly in control of their own destiny.
Sweden's tournament has taken a sharply different turn. Graham Potter's side opened with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia, but that momentum evaporated in Houston, where the Netherlands returned the exact same scoreline to leave the Swedes needing a result in their final group game.
Sweden became the first team in World Cup history to score five goals and win their opener, then concede five goals and lose their second match. Potter must now ask his squad to reset quickly and find the defensive discipline that deserted them against Ronald Koeman's side.
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres give Sweden genuine attacking threat, and a squad packed with Premier League talent will not lack for motivation. But Japan's compact shape and clinical counter-attacking have made them a difficult side to break down at this tournament.
Takefusa Kubo remains unavailable through injury, which removes Japan's most creative individual from the equation. His absence has not derailed Moriyasu's side so far, but Sweden will be aware of the spaces his replacement leaves.
How to watch Japan vs Sweden with a VPN
If you are travelling abroad or just want to access your usual streaming services from a different part of the world, you may run into geo-restrictions. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in handy.
Gemini
Japan Team News
Japan continues to navigate the tournament without their premier creative spark, Kaoru Mitoma, who remains missing from the squad. Sweden manager Graham Potter praised Japan's collective ability to find a "solution" without their star asset.
Despite having the cushion of a positive goal difference, manager Hajime Moriyasu explicitly stated he will not rest players ahead of the knockouts. "I'm thinking about naming the best members to win this game, rather than thinking about the next one," Moriyasu confirmed.
The Samurai Blue will build around their established 3-4-3 tactical framework, heavily relying on the defensive chemistry of their Europe-based back three and the hold-up play of Ayase Ueda.
Sweden Team News
Sweden's absolute biggest weapons remain their world-class front two: Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres. Japanese manager Moriyasu even publicly tasked his defenders to "enjoy taking on fantastic world-class players" and use it as a test of their boundaries.
After a heavy Matchday 2 defeat to the Netherlands, manager Graham Potter is expected to demand high defensive discipline while exploiting transitional spaces.
Form
JPN-Form
JPN- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 9/2
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 2/5
- Both teams scored
- 1/5
SWE-Form
SWE- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 12/13
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 5/5
- Both teams scored
- 5/5
Japan have won four and drawn one of their last five matches, scoring nine goals and conceding four across that run. Their most recent result was a 4-0 win over Tunisia on June 21, with Ueda netting twice. Before that, they drew 2-2 with the Netherlands on June 14 in a match they twice came from behind to level. Japan also won 1-0 against Iceland in a May friendly and recorded back-to-back 1-0 victories over England and Scotland in March.
Sweden's last five fixtures produced two wins, one draw, and two defeats, with 12 goals scored and 11 conceded. Their most recent outing ended in a 5-1 loss to the Netherlands on June 20. Prior to that, they beat Tunisia 5-1 on June 15. A 2-2 draw with Greece and a 3-1 defeat to Norway in June friendlies, along with a 3-2 World Cup qualifying win over Poland in March, round out the five-game run.
Head-to-Head Record
JPNLast match
SWEJapan and Sweden have met just once in recorded history, drawing 1-1 in a friendly on May 25, 2002, with Japan as the designated home side. That single result offers little basis for drawing any broader pattern between the two nations.
Step-by-step VPN guide to watch Japan vs Sweden today
NordVPN- Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service (check out GOAL's guide here) and download the app on your device.
- Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g. if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).
- Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.
- Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster's website and app and enjoy the game.
How to watch on the Big Screen
Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:
- Smart TVs & Fire Stick: Most Android-based TVs and devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast with Google TV have native VPN apps. Simply search for your VPN provider in the app store on your TV, log in, and connect just like you would on your phone.
- Apple TV, Roku & Consoles: These devices often don't support direct VPN apps. The easiest workaround is to use Smart DNS (usually found in your VPN account settings) or Mirror/Cast the stream from your VPN-connected phone or laptop to your TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Japan vs Sweden with Spanish commentary?
Yes, you can. There are several different ways to watch this, as well as every other, FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer game with Spanish commentary.
The entire tournament will be broadcast live on Telemundo, with a handful of matches on Universo.
As well as being available through a digital OTA antenna, Telemundo is available on a variety of different streaming services including Fubo and DirecTV Stream. Both these platforms offer new customers a free five day trial of their service.
ALL matches of the World Cup will also be available with Spanish commentary on Peacock. Start a Peacock subscription from $7.99 per month or check out GOAL's guide to how to live stream Telemundo.
What is the cheapest way to watch FIFA World Cup soccer?
There are several different ways to watch the FIFA World Cup on a budget. The very cheapest method for watching the remaining games of the tournament is with a $7.99 Peacock subscription. Be aware, however, that Peacock's access to the World Cup is through Telemundo's coverage in Spanish language.
If you're looking for the best deals to watch all of the action with English language commentary, you can check out GOAL's guide to the cheapest ways to watch the World Cup. Two streaming platforms mentioned within that breakdown are Fubo and DirecTV Stream, both of which offer new customers a five day free trial of their service.