Scenario 1: Sweden beats Japan and finishes second in the group.
Then Brazil will most likely await them in the round of 32. The runner-up in Sweden's group will face the winner of Group C, where Brazil and Morocco are currently first and second. Brazil will face Scotland in their final group game, while Morocco will face Haiti, who have already been eliminated. If Brazil and Morocco finish level on points, they will be separated first by goal difference and then by goals scored. Right now, Brazil is in the driver's seat with a two-goal better goal difference than Morocco.
Scenario 2: Sweden drops points against Japan and finishes third in the group.
Then it's trickier. Sweden first and foremost needs to be among the eight top third-placed teams in the twelve groups; then a place in the round of 32 is secured.
Which third-placed teams meet which second- and first-placed teams, however, is advanced mathematics. According to FIFA, there are 495 possible combinations of outcomes based on which group threes advance.
A not entirely unthinkable scenario is that Sweden, as the third-placed team, faces the winner of Group I, where Norway lead on goal difference ahead of France after one round.
Norway next face Senegal and France take on Iraq before the two countries meet in the final group stage.
There is also a third scenario, which means that Sweden could miss the round of 32. Should Sweden drop points against Japan, the Blue and Yellows risk missing out if they are among the four worst third-placed teams. In the event of a loss, it may be important for Sweden to keep the score low, as it could come down to goal difference to determine the eight best third-placed teams.
