Japan at the 2026 World Cup

Japan arrive at the 2026 World Cup in North America as one of Asia's most compelling sides and, by some measures, one of the more intriguing squads in the entire tournament. Ranked 14th in the world by FIFA, Hajime Moriyasu's team have continued to build on the momentum generated at the 2022 edition in Qatar, where they famously topped a group containing Germany and Spain. The Blue Samurai carry genuine European pedigree into this tournament, with the majority of their squad competing at a high level across the continent's top leagues. Whether that quality translates into a deep run in North America remains the central question surrounding this side.

Group F context

Japan have been drawn into Group F, and the task ahead will demand focus from the outset. Moriyasu's squad will be among the sides that others take seriously in the group stage, given their recent tournament record and the calibre of players now embedded in European football at the highest level. Japan will be expected to challenge for qualification from the group, though nothing at a World Cup should be taken for granted. Their discipline in defensive organisation and the creative quality they possess in the final third make them a difficult opponent for any side, and they will approach each fixture with the structured professionalism that has become the hallmark of this programme.

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu

Hajime Moriyasu has been in charge of the Japan national team since 2018 and has overseen a significant evolution in the side's ambition and European representation. His tenure was defined by the remarkable group stage performances at Qatar 2022, where Japan defeated both Germany and Spain, and he has maintained the trust of the Japanese Football Association since then. Moriyasu tends to operate with a pragmatic, detail-oriented approach, blending defensive solidity with directness on the counter-attack. He has shown a willingness to adapt his system to the personnel available, and the broader European experience in his current squad gives him considerably more tactical flexibility than his predecessors enjoyed. His man-management of a large group of overseas-based professionals has become a notable strength of the role.

Squad and key players

The depth and European grounding of this Japan squad is genuinely impressive. From a goalkeeper at Parma and centre-backs at Ajax and Bayern München, through to forwards plying their trade at clubs such as Celtic, Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Sociedad, Moriyasu has a wealth of match-hardened options across the pitch. The blend of experienced heads and younger talent provides a balanced structure, and several players will be expected to shoulder significant responsibility across the group stage and beyond.

• Takehiro Tomiyasu (Defender) A composed and versatile defender at Ajax, Tomiyasu brings considerable experience of elite European football. His ability to operate across the backline gives Moriyasu important flexibility in how the defensive unit is configured.
• Wataru Endo (Midfielder) The Liverpool midfielder is one of the most experienced figures in this squad and anchors Japan's midfield with authority. His reading of the game and work rate in the defensive phase are central to how this team functions without the ball.
• Takefusa Kubo (Forward) Arguably Japan's most technically gifted player, the Real Sociedad attacker is capable of producing moments of genuine quality in tight spaces. At 24, Kubo will be expected to be a focal point in the attacking structure throughout the tournament.
• Ritsu Doan (Forward) The Eintracht Frankfurt winger brings pace, directness and a record of delivering in big moments. Doan was one of Japan's standout performers in Qatar and will be eager to make a similar impact here.
• Ayase Ueda (Forward) The Feyenoord striker offers Japan a focal point in the centre-forward position, with a consistent goalscoring record at club level. His ability to hold up play and finish in the box is a significant asset for this side.
• Ko Itakura (Defender) The Ajax centre-back provides assurance and leadership at the heart of Japan's defensive line. His composure in possession makes him an important figure in Moriyasu's build-up approach.

Tactical outlook

Moriyasu has typically deployed Japan in a mid-block defensive shape that prioritises compactness and transitions, and there is little reason to expect a dramatic departure from that approach here. The team's ability to press with intensity when the moment is right, then retreat into a disciplined structure, was a key factor in their success against elite opposition in Qatar. With players such as Wataru Endo providing the defensive shield in midfield, and Daichi Kamada offering creativity and movement ahead of him, Japan can be genuinely difficult to break down while remaining threatening on the break. The wide positions are well stocked, with Ritsu Doan and Takefusa Kubo capable of exploiting space at pace. Moriyasu may also rotate his forward options, calling upon Daizen Maeda's pressing energy or Ayase Ueda's more direct centre-forward qualities depending on the opponent. The full-back positions, covered by the experienced Yukinari Sugawara and others, will also be important in delivering width and supporting attacks without leaving the team exposed.

Route through the tournament

Japan's most realistic pathway to the latter stages of this tournament runs through a strong group stage performance that builds confidence and, ideally, spares them from meeting the highest-ranked opponents too early in the knockout rounds. If Moriyasu can get his side through Group F with their defensive record intact and the key creative players in form and fit, there is a plausible route to the quarter-finals. The knockout rounds will bring considerably stiffer tests, and Japan's capacity to absorb pressure for extended periods before finding moments of quality on the counter-attack will be tested thoroughly. The squad's mental resilience, demonstrated in Qatar with the penalty shootout victory over Croatia, is an underrated asset.

Title outlook

Winning the World Cup would represent a seismic achievement for Japanese football, and it would be an overstatement to position them as genuine contenders for the title at this stage. The gap between Japan and the very top tier of international football, represented by the traditional European and South American powers, remains meaningful. That said, this is a squad that has shown the ability to defeat anyone on a given day, and the nature of a tournament format means that momentum and good fortune can carry a well-organised side a long way. A quarter-final appearance would represent a historic achievement for this programme, and anything beyond that would be a remarkable story for the sport.

Related guides

• Japan at the World Cup, full history.
• Group F fixtures and standings.
• World Cup 2026 hub.