First nation to qualify on the field, eighth straight World Cup appearance, and a generation ready to make history

JAPAN 🇯🇵

FIFA World Cup 2026 – The Blue Samurai Return

The Big Picture

Japan became the first non-host nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, confirming once again its place among the strongest and most consistent teams in Asia.

The Blue Samurai are preparing for their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance and arrive in North America with perhaps the deepest and most talented squad in their history.

Road to Qualification

Japan officially secured qualification on March 20, 2025, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Bahrain.

Daichi Kamada opened the scoring shortly after coming off the bench, while Takefusa Kubo capped the win with a late goal after also providing the assist for the opener.

With three matches still remaining in the AFC third round, Japan had already guaranteed a top-two finish in the group, becoming the first team outside the hosts to book a place at the 2026 tournament.

A Rising Football Power

Japanese football has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade thanks to long-term planning, elite player development, and stronger links with European football.

One of the most influential connections has been with Belgian club Sint-Truiden, which has become a key gateway for Japanese players adapting to European football.

Players such as Daichi Kamada, Wataru Endo, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Zion Suzuki all passed through the Belgian club before establishing themselves at higher levels in Europe.

World Cup History

• Confederation: AFC
• World Cup appearances: 8 consecutive
• Best result: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
• Last appearance: Qatar 2022 – Round of 16
• First appearance: France 1998
• Co-hosted World Cup: 2002 (with South Korea)

The Last World Cup

Japan stunned the football world at Qatar 2022 by defeating both Germany and Spain 2-1 during the group stage.

The Blue Samurai finished top of Group E and reached the knockout stage for the fourth time in their history before narrowly losing to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.

Players to Watch

• Takefusa Kubo – Creative star capable of changing games with technique and vision.
• Daichi Kamada – Intelligent attacking midfielder with elite movement and finishing.
• Wataru Endo – Experienced midfield leader and defensive anchor.
• Zion Suzuki – Young goalkeeper viewed as a future pillar of the national team.

Greatest World Cup Moments

Japan’s most iconic World Cup performances came at Qatar 2022, where victories over Germany and Spain announced the country as a true global football force.

The 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by Japan, also remains a landmark moment in the nation’s football history, helping accelerate the sport’s growth domestically and internationally.

The 2026 Goal

Japan has reached the Round of 16 four times but has never advanced further.

With its current generation playing across Europe’s top leagues and greater tactical maturity than ever before, the objective in 2026 is clear: reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

2026 Expectations

Japan arrives at the 2026 World Cup as Asia’s standard-bearer — organized, technically brilliant, fearless, and ready to push beyond its historical limits.

JAPAN

Goalkeepers

• #1 Zion Suzuki (Parma, Italy)
• #12 Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Japan)
• #23 Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers, Japan)

Defenders

• #2 Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen, Germany)
• #3 Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden, Belgium)
• #4 Ko Itakura (Ajax, Netherlands)
• #5 Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo, Japan)
• #16 Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord, Netherlands)
• #20 Ayumu Seko (Le Havre, France)
• #21 Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich, Germany)
• #22 Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax, Netherlands)

Midfielders

• #6 Wataru Endo (Liverpool, England)
• #7 Ao Tanaka (Leeds United, England)
• #8 Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad, Spain)
• #10 Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany)
• #13 Keito Nakamura (Stade Reims, France)
• #14 Junya Ito (Genk, Belgium)
• #15 Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace, England)
• #17 Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg, Germany)
• #24 Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05, Germany)
• #25 Junnosuke Suzuki (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Forwards

• #9 Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden, Belgium)
• #11 Daizen Maeda (Celtic, Scotland)
• #18 Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord, Netherlands)
• #19 Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen, Netherlands)
• #26 Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg, Germany)

Head Coach

• Hajime Moriyasu (Japan)