At 6 a.m. tomorrow, June 26th, it will be Japan's turn to play a crucial match against Sweden, on a day that could determine the true identity of Asia at the 2026 World Cup.
South Korea loses its right to self-determination.
The 2026 World Cup got off to a pretty good start for Asian football. South Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1, Japan drew with the Netherlands 2-2, Australia beat Turkey 2-0, Iran drew with New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia earned a point against Uruguay. After the first round of matches, there was reason to talk about a more confident, more experienced Asian team that was no longer just there to learn.
South Korea (left) had more possession and tried to push their formation forward, but were stuck in a rut in their final attacking moves.
But football changes very quickly. After just two consecutive matches, the picture had already changed color.
On the morning of June 25th, a draw against South Africa would have been enough for South Korea to advance to the Round of 16 as the second-placed team in Group A. But they lost 0-1. This wasn't just a defeat in terms of the scoreline; it was a major blow to the confidence of Asian football, as South Korea, along with Japan, were considered two of the region's leading football nations.
South Korea started with a victory against the Czech Republic, but then lost 0-1 to Mexico before suffering another defeat against South Africa. From a position of strong chances to advance, they finished the group stage with 3 points and a goal difference of -1. In a 48-team World Cup format, third place can still offer hope, but it's no longer a matter of self-determination. South Korea now has to wait for the results of other groups to know if they will be among the top eight third-placed teams.
It felt very different from the familiar image of South Korean football at the World Cup: strong, confident, able to withstand pressure, and often playing better in difficult matches. Against South Africa, South Korea had more possession, tried to push forward, but their inability to find effective attacking solutions ultimately cost them dearly. One goal conceded was enough to turn their entire campaign into a period of anxious waiting.
That defeat is all the more noteworthy because South Africa had never advanced beyond the group stage of the World Cup. In 2010, despite having home advantage, they were eliminated early, becoming the first host nation to fail to progress beyond the group stage. Yet against South Korea, South Africa not only won the match, but also secured their place in the next round, pushing South Korea behind and creating one of the most remarkable turning points in Group A.
For Asia, this defeat serves as a reminder that positive signs in the first round do not guarantee a long-term success.
Waiting for Japan to take the lead.
After South Korea, all eyes in Asian football will turn to Japan.
At 6:00 AM on June 26th, Japan faced Sweden in the final match of Group F. This wasn't necessarily a do-or-die game for Japan, as they already had 4 points after two matches: a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands and a 4-0 win against Tunisia. However, it was still a very important match, as it would determine how Japan would advance.
South Korea (right) now has to wait for the results from other groups to know if they will be among the top eight third-placed teams.
A good result against Sweden would help Japan affirm that they are not only Asia's hope, but also a team capable of competing on equal footing at the World Cup. The draw against the Netherlands showed their character. The 4-0 victory against Tunisia showed their resilience. But the match against Sweden will be a test of their consistency, something that has set Japanese football apart from the rest of Asia for many years.
Japan enters the 2026 World Cup not as a team expected to cause surprises. They have repeatedly advanced beyond the group stage, defeated major opponents, and made the world view Asian football in a different light. Therefore, expectations placed on Japan are higher. People are not just waiting for them to get points, but for them to demonstrate the qualities of a team capable of going deep in the tournament.
That's why the match against Sweden is crucial for moving beyond Group F. If Japan holds firm, Asia still has a major flag to hold onto.
If Japan falters, the picture for Asia at the 2026 World Cup will take on even darker shades.
The door is wider, but the path is not easier.
The 48-team World Cup was once seen as a great opportunity for Asian football. The increased number of slots, more representatives, and greater chances of advancing to the next round thanks to the inclusion of the best third-placed teams were all part of the plan. But what is happening now shows that a wider door doesn't necessarily mean an easier path.
A victory in the opening match raised hopes, but two consecutive defeats have left South Korea in a state of waiting.
Qatar has been eliminated after the group stage. Jordan has little hope left as they face Argentina in the final match. Iraq has yet to earn any points after two losses to Norway and France, needing a win against Senegal to have any chance of a miracle. Saudi Arabia has only 1 point and must win against Cape Verde. Iran has 2 points and needs a big result against Egypt. Australia has 3 points and has a crucial match against Paraguay. Uzbekistan, the highly anticipated newcomer, is in a very difficult position after two losses to Colombia and Portugal, especially the 0-5 defeat against Portugal.
Looking at the bigger picture, Asia has more representatives, but it's not certain that many teams truly have the resilience to go far. Some teams might make an impact in individual matches. Some might surprise in the first round. But to survive through three rounds, especially when strong opponents start to get into their stride, Asia still faces a gap in speed, fitness, individual quality, and ability to handle pressure.
South Korea is the clearest example. A victory in their opening match raised many hopes, but two consecutive defeats have left them waiting in suspense. The same is true for Uzbekistan. Their first World Cup appearance was a beautiful story, but after just two matches, the harsh realities of the big stage became very clear.
Therefore, the Japan-Sweden match on the morning of June 26th is not just about Japan. It's also a match where Asia needs a response. After South Korea's fall, after the decline of many other representatives, Japan must maintain the feeling that Asian football still has a team that is mature enough, well-organized enough, and ambitious enough to move forward based on its own abilities.
The 2026 World Cup is not over for Asia. But after South Korea's precarious morning, it's no longer the rosy picture it once was. From now on, Asia needs more than just beautiful results. Asia needs teams that can stand firm as the World Cup enters its crucial turning points.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/han-quoc-nga-chau-a-cho-nhat-ban-196260625133645668.htm
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