Japan vs Sweden — Live Score, How to Watch & Preview

Japan vs Sweden kicks off in GROUP F of the 2026 World Cup. Below you’ll find the live score, the kickoff time in your own timezone, exactly where to watch in every country, the full head-to-head record and the key players to watch.

Match preview

Japan and Sweden meet in Group F with contrasting styles. Japan, known for their technical precision and quick passing, rely on a disciplined defensive structure and swift counter-attacks. Sweden, physically imposing and tactically organized, excel in set pieces and aerial duels. Japan's key battle will be neutralizing Sweden's height advantage, while Sweden must contain Japan's creative midfielders. Both teams need a win to boost knockout hopes after opening matches. Expect a tight contest where set-piece efficiency could decide the outcome.

Key players to watch

Japan

Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) — Creative playmaker with dribbling and vision to unlock defenses.
Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) — Box-to-box midfielder, key for transitions and long-range shots.
Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord) — Clinical striker, crucial for finishing counter-attacks.

Sweden

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) — Dynamic forward, pace and technical ability to trouble Japan's defense.
Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur) — Winger with creativity and crossing, dangerous from wide areas.
Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United) — Composed center-back, vital for organizing defense and starting attacks.

How to watch Japan vs Sweden — by country

Kickoff is … in your local time. Here’s the official broadcaster and stream in each country:

Australia

Australia: SBS has exclusive rights and is keeping the whole tournament free. All 104 matches air live and free on SBS, SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand — no subscription needed.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh: A consortium of state broadcaster BTV, T Sports and Star News has secured the rights (confirmed days before kickoff after an earlier deal collapsed). Matches air live on BTV (free-to-air), with T Sports and Star News on cable and the T Sports app/website for streaming. As terms were only just finalised, confirm exact channel splits with local listings.

Brazil

Brazil: Grupo Globo carries every Brazil match, the final and half the remaining games across TV Globo, SporTV and Globoplay. CazéTV streams all 104 matches live and free in 4K on YouTube, and free-to-air channel SBT shows a selection including Brazil games and knockouts. Easiest free option: CazéTV on YouTube.

Canada

Canada: Bell Media is the official broadcaster. All 104 matches air on TSN (English) and RDS (French) via cable, with select games — including Canada's matches, the opener and the final — free over the air on CTV. Stream on TSN+, the RDS app, or Crave.

Germany

Germany: Deutsche Telekom''s MagentaTV holds rights to all 104 matches (44 exclusive), requiring a subscription. ARD and ZDF each show 30 matches free-to-air — including all Germany games, the opening match, semi-finals and final — on TV and their online streams.

India

India: Zee Entertainment holds the official rights. All 104 matches air on the new Unite8 Sports 1/1 HD (Hindi) and Unite8 Sports 2/2 HD (English) TV channels, and stream on ZEE5 (paid subscription, from about Rs 799 for 3 months). There is no free-to-air option, so a ZEE5 plan or a TV pack carrying Unite8 Sports is needed.

FAQ

When is Japan vs Sweden?

Thu, Jun 25 at 11:00 PM UTC — shown in your local time on this page — in GROUP F of the 2026 World Cup.

How can I watch Japan vs Sweden?

Through the official 2026 World Cup broadcaster in your country — for example BBC/ITV (UK, free), Fox & Telemundo (USA), beIN Sports (Middle East), SBS (Australia, free). See the full country-by-country guide on this page.