2026-06-08
Group F opener vs Netherlands set for June 14 in Dallas
Japan face the Netherlands first, then Tunisia and Sweden in Group F.
Group F · AFC · FIFA #18 · 66/1
Japan
1906Asia's strongest side arrive on a five-game winning run (including away wins at England and Scotland) targeting a first-ever quarter-final, but must overcome the loss of Mitoma and Minamino in a tough Group F with the Netherlands.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu (Japanese) · since July 2018
Matches
Key players
- Wataru EndoDM · Liverpool
Captain and midfield anchor at his third World Cup
- Takefusa KuboRW · Real Sociedad
Chief creator expected to carry the attacking load with Mitoma out
- Ritsu DoanRW/AM · Eintracht Frankfurt
Direct dribbler and set-piece threat in the front line
- Ayase UedaST · Feyenoord
First-choice No.9 after a prolific Eredivisie season
- Ko ItakuraCB · Ajax
Defensive leader in Moriyasu's back three
- Hiroki ItoCB/LB · Bayern Munich
Left-footed defender who scored the winner vs Scotland in March
- Daichi KamadaAM · Crystal Palace
Experienced playmaker partnering Endo and Ao Tanaka in midfield
Injuries / doubts
- Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) ruled out of the World Cup through injury - Moriyasu called it 'a huge blow'
- Takumi Minamino (Monaco) also ruled out of the tournament through injury
- Takehiro Tomiyasu only just back after two injury-plagued years but made the squad
Recent form
| 2026-06-01 | Iceland | 1-0 W | Friendly |
| 2026-03-31 | England (a) | 1-0 W | Friendly (Wembley) |
| 2026-03-28 | Scotland (a) | 1-0 W | Friendly (Hampden) |
| 2025-11-18 | Bolivia | 3-0 W | Friendly |
| 2025-11-14 | Ghana | 2-0 W | Friendly |
News
2026-06-01
Japan 1-0 Iceland in final warm-up
Samurai Blue completed their preparations with a fifth straight win and clean sheet.
2026-05-15
Moriyasu names all-European 26-man squad; Mitoma and Minamino ruled out
JFA announced a squad made up almost entirely of Europe-based players, but lost both star wingers to injury.