JAPAN

Japan is an eight-time World Cup participant with a best result of the round of 16 (three times: 2010, 2018, 2022). At the 2026 World Cup, Japan plays in Group F against Sweden, Tunisia, and the Netherlands. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu (since 2018) is the first coach in Japan's history to lead the team at two consecutive World Cups. The leaders: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Wataru Endō (Liverpool), Ayase Ueda.

In 2022 in Qatar, Japan delivered the group stage's biggest sensation. Against Germany the team came back from 0:1 to win 2:1 — Ritsu Doan in the 75th minute and Takuma Asano in the 83rd. Six days later against Spain — again from 0:1 to 2:1, with Aoi Tanaka's goal proving decisive. Japan finished first in the group, ahead of two former world champions. In the round of 16: a penalty loss to Croatia after 1:1. It was Japan's fourth round-of-16 appearance in the last five World Cups.

Qualifying ended in first place in the Asian group, four wins and two draws. After Qatar, Japan beat Brazil (1:0, July 2023), Germany again (4:1), and England (2:1, March 2026). The team climbed to 18th in the FIFA ranking — ahead of several European top sides. In Group F the main threat is the Netherlands. Matches are in Arlington, Monterrey, and Arlington. A possible knockout meeting with France or Argentina — a real test for "first quarterfinal ever."

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