Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada has helped Japan reach the 2026 World Cup knockout stage after a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Dallas.
Palace’s official World Cup tracker confirmed that Kamada completed the full 90 minutes as Japan secured progression from Group F. Daizen Maeda put Japan ahead before Anthony Elanga equalised for Sweden.
Kamada had already made his mark earlier in the group. He scored in Japan’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands before adding another goal in the 4-0 win over Tunisia.
Kamada Form Gives Palace Useful Summer Signal
For Palace, Kamada’s tournament form matters beyond international pride.
The midfielder endured a mixed first Premier League campaign after arriving from Lazio, but this World Cup has shown why Palace value his intelligence between the lines.
His ability to connect midfield to attack remains especially relevant as Pierre Sage starts shaping a squad preparing for Europa League football.
Read Crystal Palace has already explored how Kamada’s Japan surge has become a Palace momentum story. Japan’s qualification now gives that run a sharper edge.
This is no longer a brief group-stage flash. Kamada is heading into the knockout rounds with rhythm, confidence and proof that he can influence matches under tournament pressure.
Palace will be watching closely.
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