Japan
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group F
Group F
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Zion SuzukiXI Parma | GK | |
| 12 | Tomoki Hayakawa Kashima Antlers | GK | |
| 23 | Keisuke Osako Sanfrecce Hiroshima | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Tsuyoshi Watanabe Feyenoord | CB | |
| 3 | Yūto NagatomoXI FC Tokyo | LB | |
| 4 | Ko ItakuraXI Ajax | CB | |
| 5 | Shogo TaniguchiXI Sint-Truiden | CB | |
| 6 | Takehiro TomiyasuXI Ajax | RB | |
| 11 | Ayumu Seko Le Havre | LB | |
| 13 | Hiroki Ito Bayern Munich | CB | |
| 21 | Yukinari Sugawara Werder Bremen | RB | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 8 | Wataru EndoXI Liverpool | CDM | |
| 10 | Ao TanakaXI Leeds United | CM | |
| 14 | Junnosuke Suzuki FC Copenhagen | CM | |
| 15 | Kaishu Sano Mainz | CM | |
| 16 | Yuito SuzukiXI Freiburg | CM | |
| 19 | Daichi Kamada Crystal Palace | CAM | |
| 22 | Keito Nakamura Reims | CM | |
| Forwards | |||
| 7 | Takefusa KuboXI Real Sociedad | RW | |
| 9 | Ayase UedaXI Feyenoord | ST | |
| 17 | Junya Ito Genk | RW | |
| 18 | Ritsu DoanXI Eintracht Frankfurt | LW | |
| 20 | Daizen Maeda Celtic | LW | |
| 24 | Koki Ogawa NEC Nijmegen | ST | |
| 25 | Kento Shiogai VfL Wolfsburg | ST | |
| 26 | Keisuke Goto Sint-Truiden | ST | |
World Cup History
—
Titles
8
Appearances
30
WC Goals
10
Wins
Best finish: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
Top scorer: Shinji Okazaki (3 goals)
Most capped: Yoshida Maya (13 matches)
Record: 10W – 5D – 15L
Japan are the most successful Asian nation at the World Cup in terms of consistency — seven consecutive appearances and four Round of 16 finishes. The 2022 Samurai Blue were their most impressive yet: beating Germany (4-time champions) and Spain (2010 champions) in the group stage before losing on penalties to Croatia. Japan's development model has made them Asia's benchmark.
Tournament Eras
The 1998 Debut and 2002 Co-Hosts
1998–2002Japan made their World Cup debut in France 1998, losing all three group games. As co-hosts in 2002 they reached the Round of 16 for the first time, beating Russia and Tunisia before losing to Turkey. The tournament sparked a football boom in Japan and established the J-League as Asia's leading domestic competition.
The Consistent Contenders — 2006 to 2018
2006–2018Japan qualified for every World Cup and advanced from the group stage in 2010 and 2018. Their 2018 campaign — beating Colombia 2-1 in a famous result — saw them lead Belgium 2-0 in the Round of 16 before losing 3-2 to a stunning comeback. The nature of the defeat — so close to the quarter-finals — was heartbreaking.
The 2022 Giant-Killers
2022Japan's 2022 tournament was their greatest achievement. They beat Germany 2-1 (coming from behind) and Spain 2-1 (coming from behind again) to top their group — eliminating two former World Cup champions. Both wins came from deep defensive blocks and lightning counter-attacks, showcasing a tactical evolution. They lost to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.
Iconic Moments
Beating Germany from 1-0 Down — 2022
Germany led Japan 1-0 at half-time with the expected script playing out. Then Japan's substitutes changed everything — Ritsu Doan equalised and Takuma Asano smashed home a winner from an improbably tight angle. Germany, a four-time world champion, were eliminated. Japan celebrated like they had won the tournament.
The 2018 Comeback — Belgium's Greatest WC Match
Leading Belgium 2-0 with 24 minutes remaining, Japan appeared certain to reach their first-ever quarter-final. Nacer Chadli scored a devastating injury-time winner for Belgium to complete a 3-2 comeback. Japan's players lay on the pitch in disbelief — so close to history.