Japan vs Iceland 31 May 2026 Prediction

Japan is preparing for the 2026 World Cup, and there is not much time left. That is why the coaching staff will likely use the friendly against Iceland to give the main group of players another run-out. The visitors failed to qualify for the World Cup and will once again use this match to test different options.

The Team Has Added More Strength

For Japan, this match is the final test before the World Cup. Hajime Moriyasu will be able to count on almost every player included in the World Cup squad. Only Daichi Kamada will not have time to join the national team because of the recent Conference League final.

All other key players should be available. That includes midfielder Takefusa Kubo, who had 4 goals and 8 assists in 11 qualifying matches, as well as forward Ayase Ueda, who had an excellent season with Feyenoord, scoring 26 goals in 38 games.

Starting goalkeeper Zion Suzuki is also in good form. During qualifying, he kept 8 clean sheets in 10 matches and also shut out England in a recent friendly win (1-0).

Past Success Is Behind Iceland

After a strong Euro 2016 campaign and qualification for the 2018 World Cup, Iceland entered a period of stagnation. The national team is now trying to return to that level, and it still occasionally produces solid performances, as it did in World Cup qualifying against France (2-2).

However, Viktor Palsson, who scored the first goal in that match, and Albert Gudmundsson, who assisted the second, are both missing from this squad. In addition, Arnar Gunnlaugsson did not call up starting midfielder Isak Johannesson, who recorded four goal contributions during World Cup qualifying.

The manager also left out Real Sociedad forward Orri Oskarsson, who scored three goals in his last four club matches and also impressed in the friendly against Canada (2-2), scoring both goals for Iceland.

Japan vs Iceland Predicted Lineup

Japan (3-4-2-1): Suzuki — Itakura, Taniguchi, Ito — Maeda, Morita, Endo, Doan — Nakamura, Kubo — Ueda

Out: Kamada (not in squad)

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu

Iceland (4-4-2): Valdimarsson — Tomasson, Magnusson, Hermannsson, Thorhallsson — Hlynsson, Baldursson, Gunnarsson, Willumsson — Thordarson, Willumsson

Out: —

Manager: Arnar Gunnlaugsson

Japan vs Iceland Prediction: Japan to Win With a (-1.5) Handicap at 1.67

• Main prediction: Several factors point toward success for Moriyasu’s team. First, Japan is preparing for the World Cup and is unlikely to experiment heavily with the lineup. Iceland, meanwhile, will be without several important players. Second, Japan will be playing at home, backed by a crowd of 68,000 supporters. Third, the hosts have won their last five friendlies, which suggests they are in strong form. During that stretch, Japan beat not only Ghana (2-0) and Bolivia (3-0), but also Brazil (3-2) and England (1-0). Therefore, the pick is Japan to win with a (-1.5) handicap at 1.67.
• Goals prediction: We also expect Moriyasu’s team to keep another clean sheet. Japan has done so in each of its last four matches, and all key defensive players are available. Iceland, meanwhile, will be without Gudmundsson and Johannesson, who combined for 6 of the team’s 13 goals in World Cup qualifying. The pick is both teams to score — no at 1.79.
• Correct score prediction: The visitors are unlikely to score. Japan, however, should have its say in attack and could score more than once. The hosts have scored at least two goals in four of their last six matches. With that in mind, correct score 2-0 at 6.50 looks like a strong option.