Japan
Japan (JPN) have been drawn in Group F for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu leads the squad. Ranked #17 by FIFA, the team have made 7 World Cup appearance(s). Their opening match is on June 14 against Netherlands at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Hajime Moriyasu
JPHajime Moriyasu (森保 一, Moriyasu Hajime; born 23 August 1968) is a Japanese football manager and former player. He is the current manager of Japan national football team. He made more than 250 appearances in 14 years with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, including a year on loan to Kyoto Purple Sanga, before spending his final season as a professional with Vegalta Sendai. Moriyasu has been coach of the Japanese national team since 2018, leading the team to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Final before losing to Qatar.
- 2022 FIFA World Cup Group winners (over Germany & Spain)
- 2023 Asian Cup Runner-up
- Led Japan to 2026 World Cup qualification
SQUAD
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GK Parma goalkeeper and Japan's emerging first-choice keeper. Currently plying his trade at Parma, a commanding presence between the posts, Zion Suzuki is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Japan. Has earned 8 international caps, an emerging talent on the international stage. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
GK Currently plying his trade at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a commanding presence between the posts, Keisuke Osako is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Japan. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, a commanding presence between the posts, Keisuke Osako is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Japan. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
GK Currently plying his trade at Kashima Antlers, a commanding presence between the posts, Tomoki Hayakawa is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Japan. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Kashima Antlers, a commanding presence between the posts, Tomoki Hayakawa is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Japan. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Arsenal defender capable of playing multiple positions. Currently plying his trade at Ajax, a dependable defender, Takehiro Tomiyasu combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Has earned 40 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Borussia Mönchengladbach centre-back and a pillar of Japan's defence. Currently plying his trade at Ajax, a dependable defender, Ko Itakura combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Has earned 35 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Experienced centre-back who started for Japan at the 2022 World Cup. Currently plying his trade at Sint-Truiden, a dependable defender, Shogo Taniguchi combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Has earned 25 international caps. Born in 1991, the 34-year-old veteran continues to compete at the highest level, bringing invaluable experience and professionalism. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Bayern Munich centre-back and a rising star of Japan's defence. Currently plying his trade at Bayern Munich, a dependable defender, Hiroki Ito combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Has earned 20 international caps. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Southampton right-back and part of Japan's next generation of defenders. Currently plying his trade at Werder Bremen, a dependable defender, Yukinari Sugawara combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Has earned 15 international caps. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at Le Havre, a dependable defender, Ayumu Seko combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Le Havre, a dependable defender, Ayumu Seko combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at Copenhagen, a dependable defender, Junnosuke Suzuki combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Copenhagen, a dependable defender, Junnosuke Suzuki combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at Feyenoord, a dependable defender, Tsuyoshi Watanabe combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Feyenoord, a dependable defender, Tsuyoshi Watanabe combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
DF Currently plying his trade at FC Tokyo, a dependable defender, Yuto Nagatomo combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at FC Tokyo, a dependable defender, Yuto Nagatomo combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Japan's backline. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
MF Liverpool midfielder and Japan's captain. Currently plying his trade at Liverpool, an industrious midfielder, Wataru Endo excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Japan. Has earned 60 international caps, scoring 4 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
MF Freiburg winger who scored against both Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup. Currently plying his trade at Eintracht Frankfurt, an industrious midfielder, Ritsu Doan excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Japan. Has earned 40 international caps, scoring 7 goals. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
MF Japan's top assist provider in Asian qualifiers and a pacy wide player. Currently plying his trade at Genk, an industrious midfielder, Junya Ito excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Japan. Has earned 50 international caps, scoring 10 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
MF Leeds United midfielder who scored a crucial goal against Spain at the 2022 World Cup. Currently plying his trade at Leeds United, an industrious midfielder, Ao Tanaka excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Japan. Has earned 30 international caps, scoring 3 goals. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
MF Crystal Palace midfielder and one of Japan's key creative players. Currently plying his trade at Crystal Palace, an industrious midfielder, Daichi Kamada excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Japan. Has earned 30 international caps, scoring 3 goals. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
MF Currently plying his trade at Mainz 05, an industrious midfielder, Kaishu Sano excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Japan. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Mainz 05, an industrious midfielder, Kaishu Sano excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Japan. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Real Sociedad winger and Japan's most gifted attacker. Currently plying his trade at Real Sociedad, a clinical forward, Takefusa Kubo possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Has earned 30 international caps, scoring 4 goals. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Stade de Reims forward who has impressed in Ligue 1. Currently plying his trade at Stade de Reims, a clinical forward, Keito Nakamura possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Has earned 10 international caps, scoring 3 goals. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Feyenoord striker and Japan's first-choice centre-forward. Currently plying his trade at Feyenoord, a clinical forward, Ayase Ueda possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Has earned 25 international caps, scoring 8 goals, demonstrating consistent attacking output. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Celtic forward known for his relentless pressing style. Currently plying his trade at Celtic, a clinical forward, Daizen Maeda possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Has earned 30 international caps, scoring 5 goals. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at Sint-Truiden, a clinical forward, Keisuke Goto possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at Sint-Truiden, a clinical forward, Keisuke Goto possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at VfL Wolfsburg, a clinical forward, Kento Shiogai possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at VfL Wolfsburg, a clinical forward, Kento Shiogai possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at NEC, a clinical forward, Koki Ogawa possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at NEC, a clinical forward, Koki Ogawa possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
FW Currently plying his trade at SC Freiburg, a clinical forward, Yuito Suzuki possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances. Currently plying his trade at SC Freiburg, a clinical forward, Yuito Suzuki possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Japan's primary attacking threat. Set to compete with Japan at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 7 previous tournament appearances.
GROUP STANDINGS — Group F
GROUP RIVALS — Group F
FAQ
- What group is Japan in at the 2026 World Cup?
- Japan are in Group F alongside Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia.
- Who is the head coach of Japan?
- The head coach of Japan is Hajime Moriyasu.
- When is Japan's first World Cup match?
- June 14, 2026 against Netherlands at AT&T Stadium.
- What is Japan's best World Cup finish?
- Japan's best result is Round of 16, with 7 total appearances.