LLWS 2026 Game 31 Recap: Japan 7, Canada 3
Japan eliminated Canada 7-3 at Volunteer Stadium, ending the underdog Canadian squad’s run one win short of the international quarterfinals it was chasing. Taiga Yumitori drove in three runs and scored twice, highlighted by a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning that made it 7-0.
Canada answered with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback. The loss ends the deepest run by a Canadian team at the Little League World Series since 2017. Japan advances to face Nicaragua with a spot in the international championship on the line.
A 7-0 Lead Before Canada Could Answer
Japan scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning, aided by a walk, a fielder’s choice, and an error that loaded the bases with no outs. Sou Koyama drove in two runs with a double to start the rally. Taiga Yumitori then hit his first career hit of the tournament, a three-run home run to right field, to make it 7-0 in the third.
A statement performance: Yumitori finished with three RBI and two runs scored, powering Japan’s offense from the middle of the lineup. Canada manager Brad Dorwart acknowledged afterward that falling behind against this Japan lineup was a difficult spot to be in, calling their hitting a major factor in the loss.
Canada Answers, But Too Late
Canada got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when Connor Ross led off with a single and later scored on an RBI single from Felix Hoyano. In the fifth, Kian Sandhu reached on a hit-by-pitch, and Daniel Huang singled, and Lucas Izen and Jean Ramos drove both runners in on back-to-back hits.
A historic underdog run ends: Canada had upset Panama 3-2 on Monday and stunned South Korea 5-1 in an elimination game on Tuesday to set up the matchup against Japan. The run marked the deepest a Canadian team has advanced at the Little League World Series since 2017, before falling one win short of the international quarterfinals.
How the Game Unfolded, Inning by Inning
| Inning | Key Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Japan loads the bases with no outs on a walk, a fielder’s choice, and an error. Sou Koyama’s two-RBI double keys a four-run inning. | JPN 4, CAN 0 |
| 3rd | Taiga Yumitori crushes a three-run home run to right field, his first hit of the tournament. | JPN 7, CAN 0 |
| 4th | Connor Ross leads off with a single and later scores on an RBI single from Felix Hoyano. | JPN 7, CAN 1 |
| 5th | Kian Sandhu and Daniel Huang each reach base and score on back-to-back hits from Lucas Izen and Jean Ramos. | Final: JPN 7, CAN 3 |
Game 31 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 7 | TBD | TBD |
| Canada | 3 | TBD | TBD |
| Key Hit | Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-RBI Double | Sou Koyama | Japan | Started the four-run 2nd inning rally |
| 3-Run HR | Taiga Yumitori | Japan | First hit of the tournament, made it 7-0 |
| RBI Single | Felix Hoyano | Canada | Scored Connor Ross in the 4th inning |
| RBI Single | Jean Ramos | Canada | Part of Canada’s two-run 5th inning |
Next Game for Japan
Japan’s path forward: Joto Little League continues its climb through the international bracket and now faces Nicaragua with a spot in the championship game on the line. Canada’s tournament ends after the deepest run by a Canadian team since 2017, following upset wins over Panama and South Korea.
Conclusion
Japan eliminated Canada 7-3 in Game 31 of the 2026 LLWS behind a four-run second inning and a three-run homer from Taiga Yumitori. Canada rallied for three runs late but ran out of time, ending its deepest tournament run since 2017. Japan advances to face Nicaragua for a spot in the international championship.
Canada’s underdog run included upset wins over Panama and South Korea before falling in the quarterfinal round. Japan’s offense, powered by Yumitori’s breakout performance, continues to build momentum as the team chases its first international title appearance since 2019.
