ELIMINATEDR32ROUND OF 32F2Group F, finished 2ndGROUP F · 2ND
IN OUR BEST THIRDS RANKING
#20OUR RANK
5PTS
+3GD
8GF
Japan is out of the 2026 World Cup, eliminated after the Round of 32 (1/16 finals).
Japan shared a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, 10 places higher in the world ranking, to open their 2026 World Cup, before Samurai Blue found their rhythm with a 4-0 win over Tunisia, 27 places lower in the world ranking, on matchday 2. A 1-1 draw with Sweden, 20 places lower in the world ranking, followed on matchday 3. Five points and a goal difference of 4 were enough to finish runners-up in Group F and move into the knockout rounds.
Japan gave Brazil a real scare in the Round of 32 before the five-time champions edged through 2-1. A narrow exit ended the Samurai Blue's tournament at the first knockout hurdle.
No bubble needed. Japan went through as a group runner-up, clear of the best-third race entirely.
How hard was Japan’s road at this World Cup?
Every team’s road through the tournament, on one chart. Each line shows
how hard each stage is. The base is the gap in FIFA world ranking between
the two sides; on top of that, current form (each team’s last three matches, and how
convincingly they were won against how strong an opponent) nudges the step: a hot opponent makes it
taller, a team’s own hot form makes its own steps shorter. Higher means a tougher road. In the group stage the opponents are known, so each match sits at a
fixed height; each knockout round shows the average difficulty across every opponent still left in that round. Japan’s road is highlighted, along with every team it played. Hover or tap any team to compare, or pick one from the legend.