Japan's first win at the has put them on the right path, according to goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, while Junnosuke Suzuki believes the Samurai Blue have what it takes to go all the way.
Two matches, six goals, four points and a string of impressive performances – that is what have delivered so far at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The Samurai Blue have underlined their intention to compete with the tournament favourites and challenge for the biggest prize in world football. Japan's ambition to make history at this year's finals has been no secret.
Several players, along with head coach Hajime Moriyasu, have spoken openly about their desire to take the team further than ever before on football's biggest stage.
Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who plays his club football in Italy and has consistently impressed this season, enjoyed a relatively quiet evening as Japan dominated Tunisia in a at Estadio Monterrey. The result, in his view, puts Japan firmly on course to achieve their objectives.
Speaking to FIFA after the match, Suzuki was asked whether Japan are on the right track to fulfil their ambition of making history in North America.
“Absolutely. We’re on the right path to achieving what we set out to do,” he said. “We didn’t manage to win our opening match, but we earned a point against the Netherlands, and today we picked up three more.
"We now have four points in total, but there is still one group-stage match to play. We want to take another three points and we need to prepare well for that final game.”
Junnosuke Suzuki, meanwhile, also spoke to FIFA about Japan’s goal of lifting the trophy, while expressing his delight after making his FIFA World Cup™ debut as a substitute.
“I’m very happy that we won, and I’m also delighted to have made my first appearance at the World Cup,” the 22-year-old said. “Our goal as a team is to win the title. But for now, we just want to take it one match at a time, win the next game and then focus on the one after that. That’s how we’ll continue moving forward, step by step.”
Japan produced a dominant display against Tunisia from the opening whistle. Daichi Kamada gave his side the perfect start by scoring in the fourth minute – the fastest goal Japan have ever scored at a World Cup – setting the tone for what became a comfortable victory.
“It was a great match,” Zion Suzuki said. “We played really well today. We wanted to take all three points and keep a clean sheet, and we managed to do that.”
The goalkeeper also explained why he believed the victory was especially impressive. “We knew before the game that it would be very difficult because Tunisia had lost to Sweden and would be looking to bounce back.
"They had also changed their coach, which made it very hard to predict how they would approach the match. But we prepared really well. Of course, we wanted to score early, and after that we stayed focused and closed down the spaces until the final whistle. We put in a great performance.”
Japan’s emphatic win was not only memorable for the team itself, but also for football fans around the world. The match against Tunisia was the 1,000th in FIFA World Cup history.
“It’s a special day for FIFA and for football around the world,” Suzuki said. “I’m happy to have been on the pitch for such a historic match. It was also my second World Cup appearance, so it makes the occasion even more special.”
Japan will face Sweden at Dallas Stadium on Thursday 25 June. They currently sit second in Group F behind the Netherlands on goals scored, with the two teams level on points, head-to-head record and goal difference.
Sources: FIFA Official
