Japan at World Cup 2026

Japan are in Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and one opponent still to be confirmed. Their group-stage matches are scheduled for June 14, June 19, and June 24, 2026.

Hajime Moriyasu leads Japan into the 2026 World Cup. He previously guided Samurai Blue to the Round of 16 in Qatar 2022, where Japan famously beat both Germany and Spain in the group stage.

Japan's standout names include Takefusa Kubo, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Ko Itakura, and goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The squad's broader strength lies in how many players now compete at a high level in Europe's major leagues.

Japan have never reached the quarter-finals of a men's FIFA World Cup. Their best finishes have been Round of 16 appearances in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022, with the Belgium defeat in 2018 and the Croatia loss on penalties in 2022 standing out as especially narrow misses.

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Yes. Japan have the tactical organization, technical quality, and big-match confidence to reach the knockout rounds and challenge for a quarter-final place. Their recent wins over elite nations show they are no longer just dangerous outsiders; they are a legitimately difficult tournament opponent.