Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Japan

Get the lowdown on every team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at Japan.

What can I expect from Japan?

Japan showcased their potential with impressive wins on the British Isles in March. A 1-0 success against Scotland at Hampden Park was followed by a landmark victory at Wembley, where they became the first Asian side to beat England thanks to a goal from Kaoru Mitoma.

The Brighton forward has since been ruled out with a hamstring injury, leaving Japan with "a little less power" in the words of head coach Hajime Moriyasu.

Japan did beat Brazil without Mitoma last year – their first victory over the South Americans – so while his absence has made headlines, there is still optimism in the camp.

Perhaps their biggest obstacle is a mental one; often impressive in the group stages, Japan have yet to win a World Cup knockout match in four attempts.

What are Japan's strengths?

Japan are comfortable with or without the ball, beating England and Brazil with just 30% possession this season.

They deploy wing-backs effectively in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with in-form Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda the target man.

Many say their best quality is a strong team ethos rooted in Japanese culture.

And what about their weaknesses?

There were question marks over Japan's offensive threat even before Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino – a Premier League winner with Liverpool – were ruled out by injury.

There is also concern that captain Wataru Endo, a big influence in midfield, only returned at the end of May after foot surgery in February.

How might Japan line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Striker Ayase Ueda, 27, plays under Robin van Persie at Feyenoord and has gone from strength to strength.

He was the Eredivisie's runaway top scorer this season and his goal gave Japan an historic victory over Brazil in October.

Celtic's Daizen Maeda will hope to carry his sensational end of season form from Scotland to the world stage.

Having gone 17 games without a goal between January and April, he then scored nine in seven to guide Celtic to an unlikely league and cup double.

Takefusa Kubo was once dubbed Japan's Lionel Messi after moving to Barcelona as a 10-year-old. Kaoru Mitoma's injury looks set to give Real Sociedad's gifted technician his chance to shine.

Who is Japan's head coach?

Hajime Moriyasu, 57, will become the first man to lead Japan at consecutive World Cups. Appointed in July 2018, he took his country to the round of 16 in 2022.

The former Japan midfielder says he now has "the happiest job in the world."

How did Japan qualify?

Japan were the first team, aside from the three co-hosts, to qualify – doing so on 20th March 2025 with three games to spare.

Where can I watch Japan?

All of Japan's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Now give me some proper detail

When Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma finished off a flowing counter-attack to score the only goal of the game at Wembley in March, it meant Japan could add England to the ever-growing list of big scalps.

Brazil had been beaten in October on an historic night in Tokyo, and there were two stunning upsets at the 2022 World Cup against Spain and Germany. In short, Japan are a match for anyone on their day.

Their issue has been stringing the good days together. This will be Japan's eighth consecutive World Cup appearance – a run stretching back to 1998 – and they have yet to win a knockout match.

They hold the record for the most matches played without ever reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament (25).

Several injuries have hampered their chances of putting that right in North America, with Mitoma missing out after suffering a hamstring injury during Brighton's win over Wolves in May.

It's now 21 years since the Japan Football Association launched its pledge that the national team will be world champions by 2050. Their women managed it in 2011. A few more statement wins from the men this summer would add credibility to their long-term goal.

How have Japan done at previous World Cups?

Japan made their World Cup debut in 1998 and alternated between getting knocked out in the group stage and reaching the round of 16 in their first six appearances.

They broke the cycle four years ago by making the knockout stage for the second time in a row.