(Photo credit: Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK)

The United States swept Japan on Friday in group-stage action at Overwatch World Cup 2026 in Busan, South Korea.

The U.S. team improved to 2-0 and is tied atop Group A with Sweden, who posted a 3-1 victory against China.

Sixteen national teams began round-robin play in four groups on Thursday. The group stage ends Sunday with the top two teams in each quartet advancing to the single-elimination playoffs, scheduled for Sept. 12-13 in Anaheim, Calif. All matches in the group stage are best-of-three.

In Group A, the U.S. recorded wins on Nepal, Paraiso and Aatlis. Sweden opened with wins on Nepal and Aatlis. After China's win on Paraiso, Sweden closed it out with a victory on Esperanca.

Saudi Arabia is the only 2-0 team in Group B after a sweep of Mexico, winning on Nepal, Junkertown and Colosseo. Australia earned a 3-1 win over the United Kingdom, securing wins on Nepal, Neon Junction and Aatlis with a loss on Junkertown.

Action in Group D got underway with Denmark sweeping Colombia and France rallying past host South Korea, 3-2. Denmark's wins came on Nepal, New Junk City and Neon Junction. South Korea opened with wins on Nepal and Neon Junction before France prevailed on New Junk City, Esperanca and Shambali Monastery.

Group standings (won-loss record, map record, differential):

Group A:

T1. United States, 2-0, 6-1, +5

T1. Sweden, 2-0, 6-1, +5

3. China, 0-2, 2-6, -4

4. Japan, 0-2, 0-6, -6

Group B:

1. Saudi Arabia, 2-0, 6-0, +6

2. Australia, 1-1, 3-4, -1

3. United Kingdom, 1-1, 4-3, +1

4. Mexico, 0-2, 0-6, -6

Group C:

1. Spain, 1-0, 3-0, +3

2. Canada, 1-0, 3-2, +1

3. Germany, 0-1, 2-3, -1

4. Thailand, 0-1, 0-3, -3

Group D:

1. Denmark, 1-0, 3-0, +3

2. France, 1-0, 3-2, +1

3. South Korea, 0-1, 2-3, -1

4. Colombia, 0-1, 0-3, -3

--Field Level Media