ARLINGTON, TX – A tricky match awaits after its to shut the group stage matches on the on Thursday, June 25.Samurai Blue, runners-up to , will face in one of many most-anticipated matches of the . Whereas Brazil is actually extra proficient on paper, Japan has regarded way more cohesive than Carlo Ancelotti’s facet via three matches.
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Japan wasn’t one of many fortunate eight sides to land a spherical of 32 matchup towards a fellow group stage runner-up, as a substitute dealing with probably the most profitable nationwide staff within the historical past of the event, with 5 World Cup victories.
Japan is seeking to show it’ll be a tricky draw for the Canarinho, too.
“For the nice of soccer in Japan, I believe it could be an excellent expertise,” coach Hajime Moriyasu stated via a translator. “We do consider there’s an opportunity for us to win. After which we hope that we will transfer one step additional and transfer on to the following stage.”
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s third objective throughout the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP through Getty Photographs)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s third objective throughout the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP through Getty Photographs)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Folarin Balogun #20 of the US scores his staff’s third objective throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Photographs)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to avoid wasting a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the US as he scores his staff’s fourth objective throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Photographs)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his staff’s fourth objective throughout the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP through Getty Photographs)
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Images reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US gamers have fun the fourth objective by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna throughout the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP through Getty Photographs)
Japan’s assault might want to enhance for an opportunity towards Brazil. Sweden restricted Moriyasu’s facet to 3 pictures on objective, and if it weren’t for a 56th-minute strike from Celtic attacker on an excellent cross from , it might’ve discovered itself in a precarious place − like Sweden, which is on to the spherical of 32 as a third-place finisher however is not sure of its placement but.
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The momentum shifted in Sweden’s favor late within the second half, however Japan was capable of maintain sturdy regardless of a header from Sweden ahead hitting the crossbar within the 94th minute. winger scored the equalizer within the 62nd minute on a screamer from exterior the field.
In the end the draw labored out for either side, although, as Japan wasn’t fairly in jeopardy of lacking the spherical of 32, however it resulted in Sweden locking up a top-eight end amongst third-place group stage groups.
“I believe we achieved what was essential – conceding the minimal, not shedding, and securing a minimum of a degree,” stated “Having the ability to carry this unbeaten momentum into the Brazil match subsequent is certainly optimistic.”
Japan and Brazil confronted off lately in a pleasant, with Samurai Blue incomes their first win over Brazil in 14 matchups on Oct. 14, 2025, in Tokyo. Japan fell down 2-0 however scored three unanswered objectives within the second half to earn the end result.
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Whereas friendlies are hardly corresponding to the World Cup, Brazil performed a number of starters within the match, together with star ahead .
Japan wasn’t at its finest towards Sweden, however it has just a few days off earlier than making the brief journey to Houston for the match on June 29.
Samurai Blue will probably be seeking to channel their effort from their 3-2 pleasant win final yr, though they count on a tricky struggle from FIFA’s No. 6-ranked facet, which gained Group F with seven factors over as a consequence of objective differential.
“Maybe due to that (win) they’ll be motivated,” Moriyasu stated. “We’d be capable to play towards a Brazil that’s actually intent of enjoying their recreation.”