Japan
Samurai Blue · AFC
Japan at World Cup 2026
Japan enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup looking to make history, drawn in Group C alongside Argentina, Brazil, Chile. Managed by Hajime Moriyasu, Japan is currently ranked #15 in the FIFA World Rankings. Team Legend is their all-time leading World Cup scorer with 3 goals.
2026 World Cup Squad
Full Japan squad managed by Hajime Moriyasu.
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Japan Fixtures — Group C
All Japan group stage matches. Times in Eastern Time (ET). View full schedule →
Group C Standings
See full Group C standings and fixtures.
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Japan World Cup History
Tournament Record
- Tournaments: 7
- Titles: None
- Runners-up: None
- Best finish: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
All-Time Stats
- Matches: 28
- Wins / Draws / Losses: 12 / 7 / 9
- Win rate: 42.9%
- Goals: 36 scored, 30 conceded
- All-time top scorer: Team Legend (3)
Key Players to Watch
Japan Forward A ↗
Key attacking player for Japan with pace and finishing ability. Expected to lead the line in 2026.
Japan Midfielder A ↗
Creative midfielder who controls Japan's tempo and creates chances for teammates.
Japan Goalkeeper A ↗
Experienced goalkeeper providing stability and leadership for Japan's defense.
Tactical Analysis
Style of Play
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Balanced approach with solid defense and counter-attacking threat
Strengths
- Organized defensive unit
- Emerging young talents combined with experience
- Strong team spirit and work ethic
- Dangerous on set pieces
Weaknesses
- Lack of depth in certain positions
- Limited experience at this level for some players
- Can struggle against top-tier opposition
2026 World Cup Chances
Japan faces a challenging group but has the quality to compete. Ranked #15, they will need to be at their best to advance to the Round of 16. An organized defensive approach and taking chances on the counter-attack will be crucial. Anything beyond the group stage would be a success.