Japan is ready to challenge every team in the FIFA World Cup 2026, as Samurai Blue are desperate to create history in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup.
Japan started their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification (AFC) journey from the second round Group B, where they faced Myanmar, Syria, and North Korea. Japan won all the matches, while scoring 24 goals and conceding none. Their away match against North Korea didn’t happen, as North Korea refused to host the match due to "a malignant infectious disease" spreading in Japan, as Samurai Blue were awarded three points with the 3-0 scoreline.
In the third round, Japan were in Group C along with China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Indonesia. Samurai Blue won seven games, while drawing two and losing once, as they earned 23 points to finish Group C on top to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Japan's performances in the FIFA WC 2026 Qualification AFC (Second Round) Group B
Japan 5 – 0 Myanmar
Syria 0 – 5 Japan
Japan 1 – 0 North Korea
North Korea 0 – 3 Japan (awarded)*
Myanmar 0 – 5 Japan
Japan 5 – 0 Syria
*North Korea refused to host the match due to "a malignant infectious disease" spreading in Japan. So, Japan were awarded three points along with a 3-0 margin win.
Japan's performances in the FIFA WC 2026 Qualification AFC (Third Round) Group C
Japan 7 – 0 China
Bahrain 0 – 5 Japan
Saudi Arabia 0 – 2 Japan
Japan 1 – 1 Australia
Indonesia 0 – 4 Japan
China 1 – 3 Japan
Japan 2 – 0 Bahrain
Japan 0 – 0 Saudi Arabia
Australia 1 – 0 Japan
Japan 6 – 0 Indonesia
Japan’s Complete FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification Stats
Matches played: 16
Won: 13
Drawn: 2
Lost: 1
Goals Scored: 54
Goals Conceded: 3
Leading Goal Scorer: Ayase Ueda – 8 goals
While Japan made their FIFA World Cup debut in the 1998 edition,.it will be their eighth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance. Their best story in the World Cup is qualifying for the Round of 16, which they recorded four times, including last two editions, while Samurai Blue are desperate to set a new story in the 2026 edition.
Japan group stage schedule in the FIFA World Cup 2026
Japan are in Group F in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they will face Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden.
June 14: Netherlands vs Japan at AT&T Stadium, Arlington (15:00 local time)
June 20: Tunisia vs Japan at Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe (22:00 local time)
June 25: Japan vs Sweden at AT&T Stadium, Arlington (18:00 local time)
