Here is a guide for the fateful match:
What: Sweden–Japan, Group F.
Where: Dallas Stadium.
When: Friday, 1:00 a.m.
TV/radio: SVT and P4 Radiosporten.
+ The Resistance
"Japan is one of the most well-functioning teams I've seen at international level," is Graham Potter's view of a national team on the rise. There is reason for that view. Hajime Moriyasu has been the national team manager for eight years and the "Samurai Blue" have beaten several top nations in recent years, most recently this spring when England fell short. And so far in the World Cup, the Netherlands have had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Japan is missing the strong trio of Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino, all of whom are out of the World Cup squad due to injuries.
+ Potter's digs
The Sweden manager was unexpectedly sharp in his meeting with the Swedish media on Tuesday. Much of the discussion revolved around the 1-5 defeat on Saturday.
"You may think I'm incompetent. No problem - I accept that," he said, among other things.
+ Defended the players
"As much as you and people on social media criticize us, these players love playing for the national team. I love these players. They wanted to win and I'm so sorry for them that it ended the way it did. I'm sorry for that. I didn't do it well enough, so don't blame the players," Potter said.
+ Changes in the starting eleven?
Potter did not reveal anything specific but answered yes to the question of whether there could be player changes. Lucas Bergvall has made two strong appearances and is the most likely candidate for a starting spot. And will Kristoffer Nordfeldt keep his position as first-choice goalkeeper?
+ What Sweden needs
Sweden must win to finish second in the group behind the Netherlands. A win is likely to be enough to advance as third in the group. A shocker could await in the event of a loss. Three points may be enough, but goal difference could be decisive.
Sweden's squad:
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby.
Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Herman Johansson, Dallas, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Aston Villa, Eric Smith, St Pauli, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Elliot Stroud, Mjällby, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund.
Midfielders/strikers: Taha Ali, Malmö FF, Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel, Anthony Elanga, Newcastle, Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Gustaf Nilsson, Brugge, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Ken Sema, Pafos, Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg, Besfort Zeneli, Union St Gilloise.
Manager: Graham Potter.
Japan squad:
Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki, Parma, Keisuke Osako, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Tomoki Hayakawa, Kashima Antlers.
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, FC Tokyo, Shogo Taniguchi, Sint-Truiden, Ko Itakura, Ajax, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Feyenoord, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ajax, Hiroki Ito, Bayern Munich, Ayumu Seko, Le Havre, Yukinari Sugawara, Werder Bremen, Junnosuke Suzuki, FC Copenhagen.
Midfielders/strikers: Shuto Machino, Mönchengladbach, Junya Ito, Genk, Daichi Kamada, Crystal Palace, Koki Ogawa, NEC Nijmegen, Daizen Maeda, Celtic, Ritsu Doan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Ayase Ueda, Feyenoord, Ao Tanaka, Leeds, Keito Nakamura, Reims, Kaishu Sano, Mainz, Takefusa Kubo, Real Sociedad, Yuito Suzuki, Freiburg, Kento Shiogai, Wolfsburg, Keisuke Goto, Sint-Truiden.
Manager: Hajime Moriyasu.
Referee: Ivan Barton, El Salvador.
