After a stunning performance in Qatar, Asian giants Japan want to bring the same valour to North America to finally go past the Round of 16 stage in the World Cup. Hajime Moriyasu also wants to bring the success of his coaching in the previous edition, maintaining his position as the manager of the Blue Samurai and overseeing another successful qualifying campaign in which they became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. However, the side has since been rocked with injuries to key players that rule them out of the competition and will be forced to navigate through a strong group containing Tunisia, Sweden and three-time finalists Netherlands. It is not a welcoming situation for Japan, but they will be determined to produce another fitting performance at the global stage with the available stars in the squad.
Japan FIFA World Cup History
Japan’s FIFA World Cup history is fairly recent, having not missed a single World Cup since their debut in 1998 in France. The 2026 edition will be their eighth straight appearance at the premier competition, making them the most consistent Asian side to qualify for the finals this century and one of the regular teams at this stage. Despite making a good account of themselves at World Cups and bringing in a talented squad almost every time, the Blue Samurai have failed to get past the Round of 16. In fact, they qualified for the stage only three times, including at the previous World Cup in 2022, when they created one of the most sensational stories by topping a group containing two former winners, Spain and Germany. Moriyasu’s s team even defeated the pair to escape the group stage, but their journey ended in the first knockout round with a heartbreaking penalty defeat to Croatia.
Japan Qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the most dominating fashion. Their performance looks even more incredible considering they were placed with two more heavyweights, Saudi Arabia and Australia, in the same group in the third round of the AFC Qualifiers. After sweeping the second round, which helped them to qualify for the Asian Cup, they continued their excellence in the next round by topping it again and qualifying for the World Cup this summer directly. The Blue Samurai accumulated 23 points from 10 games, registering seven wins, two draws and just a single defeat to Australia, fielding a second-tier side when their qualification was already wrapped up.
However, that defeat in June last year ended the 12-game unbeaten streak they carried since their quarterfinal exit from the Asian Cup in February 2024. But they returned to winning ways straightaway with a 6-0 thrashing of Indonesia to wrap up the qualifiers. They were the highest-scoring team in the qualifiers, scoring an impressive 44 goals with an average of three goals per game while conceding just three goals. Ayase Ueda grabbed the most with eight, while Junya Ito provided the most with 10 assists to his name. Know here Japan's Qualification Journey to FIFA World Cup 2026
Japan Form and Preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026
The Asian powerhouse kept their form intact even after the qualifiers ended and the group stage berth in the 2026 World Cup was sealed, showing the hunger and commitment to give the best performance in their history in the finals. Keeping aside the unconvincing results in the friendlies right after the qualifiers against two of the three host nations, a draw against Mexico and a 2-0 loss to the United States in September last year, they showed their character in the rest of the preparation games, building up to the tournament. The biggest result they showed in that period was undoubtedly beating Brazil for the first time in their history, coming back from two goals down in the second half to win a 3-2 thriller in front of their fans. That started an ongoing five-game winning streak that also includes a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley in the last game. Japan are carrying a sensational form to the tournament and it is something to be feared.
Japan Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki (Parma), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers)
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junnosuke Suzuki (Copenhagen)
Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Keito Nakamura (Reims), Kaishu Sano (Mainz), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)
Forwards: Koki Ogawa (NEC), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg), Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden)
Head Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
The big blow to the Blue Samurai, though, is Monaco’s Takumi Minamino and most importantly, star winger Kaoru Mitoma ruled out of the World Cup due to injuries. The former Liverpool player suffered an ACL injury back in December last year and it will keep him out until the next season, while the Brighton man picked up a hamstring injury just days before the final squad selection. Manager Hajime Moriyasu said in naming his squad in Tokyo that the medical team assessed that it would be difficult for Mitoma to get back to fitness during the tournament. Both players are the team's main creative forces, noted by their combined 10-goal involvement in the qualifiers and losing both in a tournament like this is very unfortunate. However, Japan don't have a shortage of talent by any means, with other players willing to replace them and take advantage of the chance presented to them.
Ajax's Takehiro Tomiyasu made the 26-man squad despite not having played for Japan since June 2024 because of injuries. Wolfsburg's Kento Shiogai, who won his first cap in Japan's 1-0 win over Scotland in Glasgow in March, also made the cut. The squad also have tournament experience with 13 players also part of the last edition's call-up. No one has it more than Yuto Nagatomo, who becomes the first Japanese player to be named in five different World Cups, joining an elite group with icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and legends like Lothar Matthäus. Already having the record of 12 matches played at the World Cup, the 39-year-old veteran fullback, currently at FC Tokyo, burst into tears of joy upon learning his call-up in a video that has gone viral.
Strengths of Japan Football Team
The talent and depth of Japan look unreal and if the team can make full use of it, they can go a long way in the competition. From the defence to the wing-backs to the midfield and to the forward line, the team is completely stacked, even after considering two key players will miss the tournament entirely. Their frontline is not being talked much about, with Feyenoord's Ayase Ueda, the first-choice number nine, scoring goals for fun in the Eredivisie as he bagged 25 goals in 31 matches to help his side finish second on the table and grab Champions League football. The 27-year-old also returned as the top scorer of their qualifying campaign and also scored in that historic win against Brazil in October last year. He is supported by Daizen Maeda, who helped his club Celtic retain their dominance by winning the Scottish league on the dramatic final day over Hearts, contributing 26 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions this season.
Japan also have a player like Junya Ito who can be played in different positions and produce the necessary creative spark, even more important in the absence of Minamino and Mitoma. The Genk forward has contributed to four goals in the last four matches for the Blue Samurai, with three being assists, showing his brilliance that also made him top assist maker for the side in the qualifiers. There is also lots of tournament experience in the squad with their fantastic display of the 2022 World Cup, providing great schooling of some of the players, making another go this edition. Veterans like Nagatomo and Premier League stars like Wataru Endo and Daichi Kamada are set to give valuable inputs to the squad.
Weaknesses of Japan Football Team
No matter how talented the squad is or the required depth Japan inherits, the absence of Mitoma and Minamino will be felt. The former's blistering pace on the left wing would have troubled defences and with a player for the decisive moment, as he proved more recently with the winner in the friendly against England, while also producing the assist for that controversial goal against Spain in the last World Cup to send his side through to the last 16, they are missing a key asset in the team. Minamino's absence is no less significant, as his playmaking ability would have benefited the Blue Samurai a lot. His six-goal contribution in the qualifiers, with four strikes and providing two assists in 12 matches, even if not as shiny as his contribution of 10 goals and one assist in the last qualifiers, showed that the team depends upon his artistry.
While the four-time Asian champions have shown dominance with a flurry of goals in the qualifiers, it is a feeling that Moriyasu still holds the team back with his three-man defence system and pragmatism is the priority at times. It is their approach against elite opponents sometimes, indicated by the 1-0 victories in March friendlies, which can make sense, but doesn't fully utilise the potential of this talented squad with excellent attackers. The draw they played against a struggling Saudi Arabia and Australia, losing to them in the other fixture, proves that. The team has also shown a lack of mentality in holding their advantage at the crucial stage of the competition that ultimately resulted in elimination from the last two World Cups, losing a two-goal lead against Belgium in 2018 and then failing in the same way against Croatia four years ago, both at the last-16 stage.
Key player: Junya Ito
While Japan will play as a talented and cohesive unit without relying on a single star to carry the entire team on his shoulder, Genk's dynamic winger Junya Ito will be one of the most crucial players the side will put their faith in. Capable of playing on both flanks, as a 10 and also deployed as a wingback, the 33-year-old's versatility is key to the flexible system Moriyasu sets his team up. His blistering pace and crossing ability are well-renowned, while he can last long in matches because of his unending stamina, which has not reduced despite him now exceeding 30 years in age. Ito's creativity is also an important factor for the Blue Samurai with his assist tally in the qualifiers reflecting that. He has proven to be the player for the big occasion several times, including in the last World Cup, where he grabbed a crucial assist for Ritsu Doan's equaliser in that historic game against Spain. Ito heavily utilises quick, short passing combinations such as one-twos to manipulate defensive lines before exploiting the space behind them. His combination with Ueda up front seems to be the deciding factor in Japan's attack.
How will Japan Lineup at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Japan are set to lineup in Moriyasu's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, but it is hard to predict the personnel that will lineup in the system from the start. The back-three seemed to be predictable with Feyenoord's Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Shogo Taniguchi of Sint-Truiden, and Bayern's Hiroki Ito complementing each other. The midfield is an area of speculation as Premier League pair Endo and Kamada could be preferred if the team is looking for more control and solidity. The Liverpool star has been out with an ankle injury since February, so either Kaishu Sano or Ao Tanaka should start instead.
However, his experience might matter, especially in a World Cup. Ritsu Doan, who scored two vital goals in the previous World Cup and made six goal contributions in the qualifiers for this one, will start in his newfound wingback role with Keito Nakamura taking the opposite flank. In the absence of Mitoma, Maeda could slot in the left or Kodai Sano or Takefusa Kubo as viable options, with Ito the unchallenged figure on the right. Ueda has the edge over Koki Ogawa, their next best scorer in the qualifier, with six goals, to start up front on the backdrop of a sensational scoring season.
Japan Group F Fixtures and Opposition in FIFA World Cup 2026
Monday, 15 June 2026
Netherlands v Japan - AT&T Stadium, Dallas (01:30)
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Tunisia v Japan - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey (09:30)
Friday, 26 June 2026
Japan v Sweden - AT&T Stadium, Dallas (04:30)
Japan FIFA World Cup 2026 Prediction
Japan has been paired in Group F of the 2026 World Cup with two strong European teams and an African outfit that will make it hard to break down. So, it will be an ultimate test for Moriyasu's team. They open the campaign against the Netherlands in the repeat of their group stage meeting, where they lost 1-0 to a Wesley Sneijder goal and face a team capable of inflicting such unwanted memories, being one of the tournament contenders each time. It is one of the most difficult beginnings to the tournament that the Blue Samurai has ever had. They then face a dogged Tunisia team, who will sit deep and not make it easy.
It is something that Japan already experienced in the 2022 edition, with a shock loss to Costa Rica before ending the group stage against Sweden, who possess a front line that can trouble any defence on their day. However, despite the challenges and key stars missing the tournament through injuries, Hajime Moriyasu’s team is talented enough to escape this testing group even as a top-two side. Real questions will be asked in the knockouts about whether Japan have gained the mentality not to repeat the same mistake after escaping the group stages, as they are bound to get a Morocco or a Brazil in the new Round of 32 stage.
