Japan's Keisuke Honda, right, celebrates with teammate Gaku Shibasak. Photo / AP
Live updates of the final group F clash between Japan and Poland
Poland has already been eliminated from advancing but Japan can move on to the round of 16 with a draw, and even a loss with help from other teams.
Moving on in the tournament would be a surprise for Japan coach Akira Nishino, who didn't even have the job three months ago. The team also wasn't sure if Keisuke Honda would be able to play in Russia.
The Japan Football Association fired coach Vahid Halilhodzic in April because of underwhelming play and supposed friction with senior players. Nishino came in and organized the squad and ensured Honda, who had a poor relationship with his former coach, would be part of the tournament.
It was Honda's equalizer against Senegal that put Japan in position to move out of Group H.
Japan became the first team from an Asian country to defeat a team from South America with a 2-1 victory over Colombia in its second game.
The Group H match is at the Volgograd Arena.
All Whites' players now have four months at their various clubs to make their case.