Netherlands and Japan Advance to Knockout Stage of FIFA World Cup 2026

Kathmandu. In the final matches of Group F of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Netherlands advanced to the knockout stage (last 32) as group winners and Japan as runners-up. Sweden and Tunisia's journey ended in the group stage.

Japan and Sweden played a 1-1 draw in the match held at Dallas Stadium. The first half ended goalless, and in the 56th minute, Daichi Maeda scored from Ritsu Doan's pass to give Japan the lead. However, in the 62nd minute, Anthony Elanga, with the help of Victor Gyökeres, scored to bring Sweden back into the game. After that, both teams tried for a winning goal, but no further goals were scored, and the game ended in a draw.