After a 1-1 draw with Sweden in the final match of Group F at the 2026 World Cup, Japan extended their unbeaten streak against European teams to 11 consecutive games.

The Brazilian national team will meet Japan in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, and the Samba media has immediately warned about the strength of the "Blue Samurai".

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Tokyo, the football atmosphere in Japan's capital on the morning of June 26 became lively as fans gathered at multiple viewing spots across Tokyo to watch the match between Japan and Sweden. Although the game ended in a 1-1 draw, this result was sufficient for Japan to officially secure advancement, sparking a festive celebration atmosphere in many central areas of the capital.

On June 26, Beijing time, the final round of the World Cup group stage continued. The South Korean men’s football team, anxiously awaiting its fate, received three pieces of bad news within a single day, significantly reducing its chances of advancing to the knockout stage. In yesterday’s Group A match, South Korea lost 0-1 to South Africa, squandering a favorable position and dropping to third in the group with a goal difference of -1. Their qualification now depends on the results of other teams.

On June 26, Beijing time, the final round of World Cup group stage matches continued. In the concluded matchdays for Groups D, E, and F, the United States, Australia, Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden advanced together. As a result, 19 of the 32 teams heading to the knockout stage have been determined. In Group D, the United States finished top with 2 wins and 1 loss, accumulating 6 points.

On June 26, Beijing time, the final matches of Groups D, E, and F of the World Cup concluded, with all three third-place teams earning 4 points. Ecuador and Sweden secured their knockout spots early, while Paraguay also ranked higher than South Korea among the third-place teams. South Korea, which suffered a surprise 0-1 loss to South Africa yesterday, has now dropped to 6th place in the competition among the 12 third-place teams.

Thailand's national team faces the risk of not having its strongest squad at AFF Cup 2026 because the tournament is not on the FIFA calendar, significantly affecting coach Anthony Hudson's plans.

The 2025/26 V-League championship is not the final destination for Cong An Ha Noi; the ticket to the AFC Champions League Elite playoff opens up the biggest challenge in their history, where the police team must prove their ability against Asia's top clubs.

The Vietnam National Team will play for the first time in Thai Nguyen during a friendly match against Myanmar, an important dress rehearsal ahead of the AFF Cup 2026.

Nguyễn Tài Lộc revealed that Nguyễn Xuân Son and Đỗ Hoàng Hên helped him feel confident and integrate quickly during his first time joining the Vietnam national team.