Japan World Cup 2026 Team Guide
Follow the Japan World Cup 2026 Team with this team guide covering the projected squad, coaching staff, group stage schedule, key players, and useful links. This page is designed to help fans quickly find Japan match information and learn more about the team heading into the tournament.
Japan will play in Group F and opens group play against the Netherlands before facing Tunisia and Sweden.
🇯🇵 Japan Team Overview
Japan enters World Cup 2026 as one of Asia’s strongest teams and has built a reputation for organization, technical quality, and the ability to upset major nations. The squad includes a strong European-based core and several exciting attacking players.
- Confederation: AFC
- Group: Group F
- Head coach: Hajime Moriyasu
- Nickname: Samurai Blue
📅 Japan Match Schedule World Cup 2026
| Date | Match | Time | City | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | Netherlands vs Japan | 4:00 PM | Dallas | AT&T Stadium |
| June 21, 2026 | Tunisia vs Japan | 12:00 AM | Monterrey | Estadio BBVA |
| June 25, 2026 | Japan vs Sweden | 7:00 PM | Kansas City | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium |
Time zone note: All match times listed below are shown in Eastern Time (ET).
Convert match times here: Match Time Converter
👥 Japan Projected Squad
This projected Japan squad is based on the recent national-team player pool and current senior core. The final World Cup roster may change before the tournament begins.
🧤 Goalkeepers
- Zion Suzuki
- Keisuke Osako
- Kosei Tani
🛡️ Defenders
- Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Koki Machida
- Ko Itakura
- Hiroki Ito
- Yukinari Sugawara
- Kota Takai
- Daiki Hashioka
⚙️ Midfielders
- Wataru Endo
- Daichi Kamada
- Hidemasa Morita
- Ao Tanaka
- Kaishu Sano
- Takefusa Kubo
- Reo Hatate
🎯 Forwards
- Kaoru Mitoma
- Daizen Maeda
- Ayase Ueda
- Ritsu Doan
- Kyogo Furuhashi
- Junya Ito
🧑🏫 Japan Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
- Assistant Coach: Hiroshi Nanami
- Assistant Coach: Toshihide Saito
- Goalkeeper Coach: Takashi Shimoda
🔥 Key Japan Players To Watch
- Kaoru Mitoma – one of Japan’s most dangerous attacking players in wide areas.
- Takefusa Kubo – a creative star who can unlock defenses and create chances.
- Daichi Kamada – an important attacking midfielder with quality in the final third.
- Wataru Endo – the team’s midfield leader and a major presence defensively.
- Zion Suzuki – a highly rated goalkeeper who gives Japan confidence at the back.
- Daizen Maeda – a relentless forward who brings pace, pressure, and movement.
📈 Predicted Starting XI
This is a projected lineup only and may change based on fitness, form, and tactics.
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- GK: Zion Suzuki
- DEF: Yukinari Sugawara, Ko Itakura, Koki Machida, Hiroki Ito
- MID: Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita
- ATT MID: Takefusa Kubo, Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma
- FWD: Ayase Ueda
🏆 Japan World Cup History
Japan has become one of the most consistent Asian teams at the World Cup and has repeatedly reached the knockout stage. The 2026 squad enters the tournament with real belief that it can challenge strong opponents again.
📊 Japan Group Information
Japan is in Group F alongside:
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Sweden
🔗 More Japan World Cup Links
- Full World Cup 2026 Schedule (Eastern Time)
- Printable World Cup Schedule PDF
- World Cup 2026 Groups Hub
- World Cup 2026 Teams Hub
🌐 Official Team Website
For official announcements, confirmed squad news, and federation updates, visit the official Japan federation website:
Note: Projected squads and starting lineups can change before the start of World Cup 2026.