Japan Hosts Sweden in World Cup Qualifier TOKYO (Interstat) — Japan will host Sweden on Thursday in a crucial World Cup qualifier, with both teams arriving on divergent paths after their most recent outings. Japan’s 4-0 shutout of Tunisia on Sunday extended the team’s winning streak to two matches, following a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on June 14. The Blue Samurai have allowed just two goals in their last three games, a stretch that includes a 1-1 draw against Jordan in April. Earlier this season, Japan defeated Indonesia 6-0 in June 2025 but fell to Australia 1-0 later that month. Sweden enters the match after a 5-1 loss at the Netherlands on Saturday, a defeat that exposed defensive vulnerabilities. The Swedes’ results have been inconsistent this season. They routed Tunisia 5-1 on June 14 but lost to Finland 1-0 on April 22. A 3-1 win at Ukraine in March provided a bright spot, but Sweden also suffered losses to Switzerland (4-1 in November 2025, 2-0 in October 2025) and Kosovo (1-0 in October 2025, 2-0 in September 2025). A 1-1 draw with Slovenia in November 2025 and a 2-2 draw with Slovenia in September 2025 round out the team’s results. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw for Thursday’s contest. The projection reflects Japan’s recent defensive solidity and Sweden’s scoring struggles on the road. Japan has not lost at home in this qualifying cycle. Sweden, meanwhile, will need to contain Japan’s attack, which has produced 10 goals in its last three matches. The match is part of the World Cup qualification schedule. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday night.