Japan
Japan’s World Cup journey showcases rapid development and some of the most influential milestones in Asian football. Appearing in seven consecutive tournaments since 1998, the Samurai Blue’s best results include four Round of 16 appearances—in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022—demonstrating Japan’s continual progress and ability to compete with the world’s top nations. A defining milestone came in 2022, when Japan became the first Asian team ever to defeat two former World Cup champions in a single tournament, stunning both Germany and Spain in dramatic comeback victories. Keisuke Honda stands as Japan’s top World Cup scorer with four goals and remains the only Japanese player to score in three separate editions of the tournament.
Discover the official Japan squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Explore player profiles, positions, and key stats for each member of the team as they prepare to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Takumi Minamino
Midfielder
Jan 16, 1995
Junya Ito
Attacker
Mar 9, 1993
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Defender
Nov 5, 1998
Wataru Endo
Defender
Feb 9, 1993
Takuma Asano
Midfielder
Nov 10, 1994
Takefusa Kubo
Midfielder
Jun 4, 2001
Haruya Fujii
Defender
Dec 26, 2000
Yukinari Sugawara
Defender
Jun 28, 2000
Hiroki Ito
Defender
May 12, 1999
Ryosuke Kojima
Goalkeeper
Jan 30, 1997
Ryotaro Ito
Midfielder
Feb 6, 1998
Shogo Taniguchi
Defender
Jul 15, 1991
Hidemasa Morita
Midfielder
May 10, 1995
Hayao Kawabe
Midfielder
Sep 8, 1995
Kanji Okunuki
Midfielder
Aug 11, 1999
Ayase Ueda
Attacker
Aug 28, 1998
Taishi Brandon Nozawa
Goalkeeper
Dec 25, 2002
Zion Suzuki
Goalkeeper
Aug 21, 2002
Atsuki Ito
Midfielder
Aug 11, 1998
Sota Miura
Defender
Sep 7, 2000
Meet the coaching staff behind Japan’s World Cup 2026 campaign. Learn about the head coach, assistant coaches, and support team who are responsible for preparing the squad and leading them on the path to glory.
Hajime Moriyasu
Birthday:
Aug 23, 1968
Nationality:
Japan
Explore the most recent matches played by Japan in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Get insights into match results, key moments, and player performances.
England vs Japan
0 : 1
Mar 31, 2026 • Friendlies
Wembley Stadium, London
Scotland vs Japan
0 : 1
Mar 28, 2026 • Friendlies
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Japan vs Bolivia
3 : 0
Nov 18, 2025 • Friendlies
National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Japan vs Ghana
2 : 0
Nov 14, 2025 • Friendlies
Toyota Stadium, Toyota
Japan vs Brazil
3 : 2
Oct 14, 2025 • Friendlies
Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
Japan vs Paraguay
2 : 2
Oct 10, 2025 • Friendlies
Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita
USA vs Japan
2 : 0
Sep 9, 2025 • Friendlies
Lower.com Field, Columbus
Mexico vs Japan
0 : 0
Sep 7, 2025 • Friendlies
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
South Korea vs Japan
0 : 1
Jul 15, 2025 • EAFF E-1 Football Championship
Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin
Japan vs China
2 : 0
Jul 12, 2025 • EAFF E-1 Football Championship
Yongin Mireu Stadium, Yongin
Follow Japan’s journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026, from the qualification process to their performance in the tournament. See how they secured their spot and what challenges they faced along the way.
Played
Qualification matches played
Won
Matches won
Drawn
Matches drawn
Lost
Matches lost
Goals For
Total goals scored
Goals Against
Total goals conceded
Goal Difference
GF minus GA
Points
3 per win, 1 per draw
Road to WC
Match | Date | MatchUp | Stadium | City | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nov 16, 2023 | Japan vs Myanmar | Panasonic Stadium Suita | Suita | 5:0 |
2 | Nov 21, 2023 | Syria vs Japan | Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium | Jeddah | 0:5 |
3 | Mar 21, 2024 | Japan vs North Korea | New National Stadium | Tokyo | 1:0 |
4 | Jun 6, 2024 | Myanmar vs Japan | Thuwunna Stadium | Yangon | 0:5 |
5 | Jun 11, 2024 | Japan vs Syria | Hiroshima Big Arch | Hiroshima | 5:0 |
6 | Sep 5, 2024 | Japan vs China | Saitama Stadium | Saitama | 7:0 |
7 | Sep 10, 2024 | Bahrain vs Japan | Bahrain National Stadium | Riffa | 0:5 |
8 | Oct 10, 2024 | Saudi Arabia vs Japan | King Abdullah Sports City | Jeddah | 0:2 |
9 | Oct 15, 2024 | Japan vs Australia | Saitama Stadium | Saitama | 1:1 |
10 | Nov 15, 2024 | Indonesia vs Japan | Bung Karno Stadium | Jakarta | 0:4 |
11 | Nov 19, 2024 | China vs Japan | Xiamen Egret Stadium | Xiamen | 1:3 |
12 | Mar 20, 2025 | Japan vs Bahrain | Saitama Stadium | Saitama | 2:0 |
13 | Mar 25, 2025 | Japan vs Saudi Arabia | Saitama Stadium | Saitama | 0:0 |
14 | Jun 5, 2025 | Australia vs Japan | Optus Stadium | Perth | 1:0 |
15 | Jun 10, 2025 | Japan vs Indonesia | Panasonic Stadium Suita | Suita | 6:0 |
Explore Japan’s rich history in the FIFA World Cup, from their debut to their most memorable moments. Discover key matches, legendary players, and the team’s journey through past tournaments as they aim for glory in 2026.
Kaoru Mitoma
A game-breaking winger and one of Japan’s most dangerous modern attackers, Mitoma is known for his explosive acceleration and elite dribbling. His direct running and chance creation make him a centerpiece of Japan’s attacking plan heading toward 2026.
Daichi Kamada
A smart, versatile attacking midfielder who can operate between the lines or join the forward line, Kamada brings quick combinations and big-match efficiency. His ability to time runs, create chances, and finish moves makes him a key player for Japan.
Ritsu Doan
A high-intensity wide attacker, Doan combines sharp movement, pressing energy, and a knack for decisive moments. His ability to drift inside and combine in tight spaces makes him a crucial player in Japan’s frontline core.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
A versatile defender capable of playing centrally or as a full-back. Tomiyasu’s composure, physical strength, and defensive intelligence make him one of Japan’s most reliable modern players, crucial for their 2026 ambitions.
Wataru Endo
Known for his leadership and ball-winning ability, Endo anchors Japan’s midfield with discipline and experience. His role at Liverpool demonstrates his elite defensive reading and work rate, vital during World Cup qualification.
Takefusa Kubo
Kubo brings creativity, dribbling, and goal-scoring threat from wide areas. A breakout performer in La Liga, he is central to Japan’s attacking plans for 2026 and represents the new generation pushing Japan toward deeper World Cup runs.
Keisuke Honda
Honda delivered some of Japan’s most iconic World Cup moments, especially in 2010 and 2014. Known for his powerful left foot, creativity, and set-piece ability, he remains Japan’s top World Cup scorer and a symbol of Japan’s attacking identity.
Shunsuke Nakamura
A master technician and one of Japan’s greatest set-piece specialists, Nakamura was known for his passing range and unforgettable free kicks. His creativity and control in midfield made him a defining star of Japan’s 2000s generation.
Kunishige Kamamoto
Japan’s classic goalscoring legend, Kamamoto was a ruthless finisher who defined an era with prolific national-team output. His impact as a striker set early standards for excellence and remains a reference point in Japanese football history.
Hidetoshi Nakata
One of Asia’s most influential footballers, Nakata was known for his technical quality, vision, and leadership. He played in Serie A at a time when few Asian players competed in Europe’s top leagues, helping raise Japan’s global profile across multiple World Cups.
Japan will play its World Cup 2026 matches in the following stadiums across North America. Each venue offers a unique atmosphere and experience for fans, with state-of-the-art facilities and passionate local support. Check the schedule to see which stadiums will host Japan’s group stage and potential knockout matches.
FIFA is employing a dynamic pricing model, so prices can go up or down depending on demand. Due to this, there is no specific price point as yet. Fans can expect prices to vary across tournament phases and matches. As a result, the lowest official stadium prices, for example, are anticipated to start from around $60, while premium hospitality packages can run up to $7,875.
All tickets are digital tickets through the official FIFA Ticketing App.
You can resell them.
You can buy tickets for multiple matches. FIFA allows up to 4 tickets per match and a total of 40 tickets per FIFA account.
There's no predicting the future participants in advance. But if your favorite team doesn't make the cut, you can just resell your tickets on Ticombo.
A total of 104 matches will take place.
The tickets are non-refundable, but FIFA has its own official resale platform.
You can use live chat or call during official business hours, or send an email.
Yes, standard entry and visa requirements for the host countries still apply. In some cases, holding a valid World Cup ticket may offer priority visa processing, depending on the country’s regulations.
48 teams will participate.
All FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets are delivered digitally through the official FIFA Ticketing App.
You are able to buy tickets at any time. We recommend buying them well in advance of match day. This ensures availability and allows you to enjoy the event without any last-minute stress.
If you purchase multiple tickets from the same listing on Ticombo, the tickets will always be seated together.
In some cases, tickets may be delivered before they are officially available in the app. To ensure seats remain together, all tickets from the same order should be sent to one single email address.
Once tickets are available in the app, the main recipient can forward the tickets to other guests. If tickets are delivered early to different email addresses, seating together cannot be ensured once they are released in the app.
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