Sweden Advances to 2026 World Cup Round of 16 After Draw with Japan, Eyeing France or Norway Next

Sweden secured their spot in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 1-1 draw against Japan. The result, which came after Sweden’s earlier loss to the Netherlands, was enough to advance the team to the knockout stages, sparking celebrations despite some confusion within the squad.

Anthony Elanga, who made his first start of the tournament, scored the equalizing goal with an impressive shot from the edge of the penalty area. Post-match, Elanga admitted he was initially unaware that a draw would suffice for progression, a surprise to teammates including captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and striker Alexander Isak. "I was just happy to start the match and score," said Elanga, reflecting on his individual performance and the team’s advancement. He also noted he might have played more defensively toward the end if he had fully understood the qualification scenario.

Looking ahead, Sweden is poised to face either France or Norway in the round of 16, with over a 74% chance of meeting France and a 25% chance of playing Norway. Expert commentator Bojan Djordjic expressed a preference for Sweden to face Norway next. The upcoming knockout match is scheduled for Tuesday in New York, starting at 23:00 Swedish time. Earlier prospects of a matchup against Germany vanished after Paraguay's advancement from the group.

Sweden’s squad faces some challenges, as key players like Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and Alexander Isak were dealing with minor injuries during the tournament, but the team’s resilience has propelled them to this critical stage. As the last group matches proceed, Sweden's focus will now be on preparing strategically for their round of 16 opponent.