Live updates: Japan and Sweden face off for chance at knockout round berth
For the fourth time this summer, it is match day at AT&T Stadium in the 2026 World Cup, as Japan and Sweden will face off in a crucial Group F matchup that will determine who gets the automatic berth into the knockout round stage.
While these two teams are playing, Tunisia and The Netherlands will square off simultaneously in Kansas City. Here is the group standings going into the day:
- The Netherlands - 4 points (head-to-head advantage on goals scored)
- Japan - 4 points
- Sweden - 3 points
- Tunisia - 0 points
A win for either country in today’s match in Arlington will secure a spot in the knockout round, as the top two automatically advance. The loser — or Sweden if it’s a draw — will finish third in the group and will hold out to see if they finish as one of the eight top third-place finishers in the group stage out of 12 contenders.
We’ll have all the action from Arlington as the day goes on.
No score at first hydration break
6:25 p.m.
We are at the first hydration break in Arlington, and it is scoreless between Sweden and Japan. The Samurai Blue have the edge on shots, 2-1, but Sweden has the lone shot on target so far through 25 minutes. Possession has been split nearly down the middle, with Japan having a 52-48 advantage.
In the other match of Group F, The Netherlands jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, all but cementing its place atop Group F at the end of the night.
We’ll see if either attack can find a crease here in the final 20-plus minutes of the first half, as this has mostly been a midfield battle with a handful of backline thwarts.
— Nick Harris
Another sellout in Arlington
6:02 p.m.
Although this was seen as the least appetizing match on the docket in Dallas for this World Cup slate, ticket prices still remained in the quadruple digits ahead of kickoff tonight.
In the last 20 minutes before kick, droves of fans have made their way into the stadium and the energy is starting to pick up. It’s not just Japan and Sweden fans though.
There are quite a few fans wearing Mexico jerseys, and now another sellout seems possible. DFW should have another electric World Cup environment.
— Steven Johnson
Starting lineups
5:58 p.m.
We’re minutes from kickoff here in Arlington. Here are the starting lineups for each squad:
Japan - Ayase Ueda, Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan, Keito Makamura, Ao Tanaka, Daichi Kamada, Yukinari Sugawara, Hiroki Ito, Ko Itakura, Ayumu Seko, Zion Suzuki
Sweden - Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, Anthony Elanga, Elliot Stroud, Yasin Ayari, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Alexander Bernhardsson, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom
— Nick Harris
Another FC Dallas moment?
5:43 p.m.
In the second World Cup match in Arlington, FC Dallas’ best striker, Petar Musa, got on the board for Croatia with a first half goal that ignited the DFW crowd and made the 28-year-old stream tears down his face.
Even though no other FC Dallas player has the national status like Musa does for Croatia, there could be another moment for the team in Arlington on Thursday night.
Though he hasn’t appeared in a game yet, FC Dallas defender Herman Johansson will be available as a reserve for Sweden, as they look for a bounce-back game after losing 5-1 to the Netherlands in their last match.
— Lawrence Dow
The curtains work!
5:15 p.m.
Cowboys fans, look away.
The curtains at AT&T Stadium are down and in use for this match, as FIFA will look to avoid a glare coming into the stadium this evening.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has long stated that the glare that shines into the stadium and onto the playing surface during games can be an advantage for his team, but players such as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb have stated otherwise after being affected by shining sunlight.
FIFA elects to take no chances with any controversy, dropping the famed curtains for this one.
— Nick Harris
Samurai Blue looking for repeat effort
4:48 p.m.
It was a huge success for Japan the last time they walked through the doors of AT&T Stadium, as they pulled off a massive draw with The Netherlands, 2-2.
A goal in the 89th minute from midfielder Daichi Kamada put the Samurai Blue back level with the Dutch and gave them a crucial one point toward their group efforts. After a dominant performance against Tunisia, it will take an epic collapse for the Japanese to not see the knockout round, but they would certainly love to seal their fate with a similar performance on Thursday night.
A win or a draw would secure a spot in the Round of 32.
— Nick Harris
Catch up on the action from the World Cup
4:34 p.m.
The three previous World Cup matches in Arlington have brought the excitement, as fans have left with memorable moments from each contest. Here is our coverage from each match:
Argentina 2, Austria 0
- Argentina’s Lionel Messi makes World Cup history at AT&T Stadium
- Messi puts on a show, leads Argentina to convincing World Cup win over Austria
- Messi may own the world, and the World Cup, but he doesn’t own the United States
- Ex-Cowboys quarterback among celebs at Austria-Argentina FIFA World Cup match
- Argentina fans arrive at Dallas Stadium (Video)
- FIFA Fan Fest erupts to watch Lionel Messi and Argentina
England 4, Croatia 2
Japan 2, The Netherlands 2
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 4:46 PM.
