Japan Pushes Unbeaten Run Against European Teams to Nine — and Sweden Is Next

Nobody expected Japan to stroll into a World Cup prep match against the Netherlands and walk away with a draw. Yet here we are. The Blue Samurai fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 result on Sunday, extending a quiet but remarkable streak that should have every European side paying attention.

That draw in the Netherlands made it nine consecutive matches against UEFA opponents without a defeat — seven wins and two draws, stretching back to the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. It’s a streak that started with shockwaves. Japan stunned Germany and Spain 2-1 in Qatar, topping Group E before falling to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16. That shootout loss, by FIFA convention, counts as a draw in regulation — meaning it fits the unbeaten narrative.

Since that narrow exit, Japan has treated European competition like a proving ground. The sample includes a 4-1 thrashing of Germany in Wolfsburg in September 2023 — a result that directly cost Hansi Flick his job and paved the way for Julian Nagelsmann to take over the Nationalelf. Japan also handled Turkey (4-2), Scotland (1-0), England at Wembley (1-0) and Iceland (1-0) in subsequent friendlies. Five straight wins.

What makes the streak notable isn’t just the results — it’s the context. Japan is not a traditional powerhouse. They’ve never won a World Cup. But they play a disciplined, high-energy brand of soccer that seems to fluster European teams built on structure and possession. The Samurai press, they counter quickly, and they don’t panic when they go down. That was on full display against the Netherlands, where they clawed back from 2-0 down in the second half.

This week, Japan faces a tougher test. They take on Sweden on June 25 — a physical, organized side that won’t gift them space. If the streak holds, it will push the narrative that Japanese soccer is no longer just a plucky upstart. According to reports from Japanese media, the team is treating the Sweden match as a serious benchmark before the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

OneFootball notes that Japan could potentially face Brazil in the pre-Round of 16 stage, a matchup that would test their defensive discipline against a South American style they rarely face. But if they can extend this streak against European sides, they’ll head into that possibility with real confidence.

For now, Japan has done something few teams — especially from Asia — have managed: make European opponents look nervous. And with Sweden on deck, the streak is about to face its next stress test.

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