Samurai Blue, Moriyasu & Group F
Japan World Cup 2026 guide: Moriyasu’s Samurai Blue squad, captain Wataru Endo, Kubo and Doan, tactics, Group F outlook and our prediction for the giant-killers.
Japan
Samurai Blue · AFC · Group FEverything at a glance
- Nickname
- Samurai Blue
- Confederation
- AFC Asia
- FIFA Ranking
- 18th As of April 2026
- Head Coach
- Hajime Moriyasu Guided Japan to the 2022 Round of 16; returns for a second consecutive World Cup
- Captain
- Wataru Endo Defensive midfielder, Liverpool
- World Cup Appearances
- 8th Eighth consecutive appearance
- Best Finish
- Round of 16 2002, 2010, 2018, 2022
- Group
- Group F Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia
From World Cup newcomers in 1998 to one of Asia’s most respected football nations — and a genuine tournament dark horse.
Japan have evolved from World Cup newcomers in 1998 into one of Asia’s most respected football nations and a genuine tournament dark horse. The Samurai Blue qualify with metronomic reliability — 2026 marks their eighth consecutive appearance — and have built a reputation for technical sharpness, relentless work rate and the ability to upset Europe’s elite. At Qatar 2022, they famously beat both Germany and Spain in the group stage before falling to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.
Hajime Moriyasu, who guided that 2022 run, returns for a second consecutive World Cup. His squad is increasingly Europe-based, with players sharpened in the Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga, giving Japan a tactical maturity to match their famous discipline.
At Qatar 2022, they famously beat both Germany and Spain in the group stage before falling to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.
Japan are the great disruptors — no team has more recently embarrassed footballing superpowers.
Japan are the great disruptors. No team has more recently embarrassed footballing superpowers, and they do it with style — fast transitions, slick combination play and a fearless press. They also carry a unique storyline: Yuto Nagatomo is set to become the first Asian player to feature at five different World Cups. Add a wave of genuinely gifted European-based talent, and Japan are the team neutrals love to back against the favourites.
Japan target the Round of 16 as a baseline — with a long-stated ambition of reaching a first-ever quarter-final.
Drawn into a tough Group F with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia, Japan will fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stage for a third straight tournament. Their opener against the Netherlands on June 14 is a marquee test.
A credible quarter-final ambition
Realistically, Japan target the Round of 16 as a baseline, with a long-stated ambition of finally breaking their last-16 ceiling and reaching a first-ever World Cup quarter-final. With this squad’s quality, that goal is credible.
Moriyasu’s squad
Likely starters marked (S). Squad subject to confirmation; injuries reported.
Goalkeepers
3- Zion Suzuki
- Daniel Schmidt
- Keisuke Osako
Defenders
7- Ko Itakura
- Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Hiroki Ito
- Yukinari Sugawara
- Hiroki Sakai
- Yuto Nagatomo
- Shogo Taniguchi
Midfielders
6- Wataru Endo (captain)
- Daichi Kamada
- Ao Tanaka
- Hidemasa Morita
- Reo Hatate
- Takefusa Kubo
Forwards
5- Ritsu Doan
- Daizen Maeda
- Ayase Ueda
- Junya Ito
- Koki Ogawa
Reporting indicated Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino were ruled out through injury and that Hidemasa Morita was a doubt/absence. Confirm the final squad against FIFA’s official list.
The names that decide it
Quick, creative and a brilliant dribbler, often Japan’s chief threat. Importance: Primary creator and game-changer. Fact: Came through Barcelona’s youth system before establishing himself in La Liga.
Tireless, combative and tactically astute, he shields the defence. Importance: Leadership and midfield balance. Fact: Turned 33 early in 2026 and remains the team’s on-pitch general.
Direct, two-footed and a big-game scorer who netted against Germany and Spain in 2022. Importance: Goals from wide areas. Fact: Scored in both of Japan’s stunning 2022 upsets.
Versatile, composed and physically robust across the back line. Importance: Defensive reliability. Fact: Capable of playing centre-back or either full-back role.
Press-resistant playmaker linking midfield and attack. Importance: Creativity in central areas. Fact: Has thrived across the Bundesliga and Premier League.
Breakout Player
Zion Suzuki — A young, athletic goalkeeper whose shot-stopping and distribution have made him Japan’s likely number one. If he keeps clean sheets against elite opposition, he could become one of the tournament’s standout emerging keepers.
Most Underrated Player
Ao Tanaka — The unsung engine of Japan’s midfield. His ball-winning, positional intelligence and willingness to do the dirty work allow Kubo and Doan the freedom to attack. Rarely headlines, always influential.
Flexible between a back four and a back three — with a press-and-counter blueprint that toppled Germany and Spain.
Moriyasu has shown flexibility between a back four and a back three, often shifting in-game. Japan press high, transition quickly and rely on the technical quality of their wide attackers to break lines. Endo’s screening role is central to their structure. Against stronger sides they may sit deeper and counter — exactly the blueprint that toppled Germany and Spain in 2022. Set-piece organisation and game intelligence are hallmarks.
By the numbers
Attack: Kubo and Doan provide pace and flair, though injuries to wide options hurt depth.
Midfield: Endo, Tanaka and Kamada are tournament-tested and disciplined.
Defense: Solid and versatile, anchored by Tomiyasu and Itakura.
Goalkeeping: Suzuki is promising but unproven at this level.
Depth: Key injuries thin the attacking options.
Experience: Eight straight World Cups and many Europe-based veterans.
Eight consecutive appearances — and the Round of 16 ceiling still to break.
Japan first qualified in 1998 and 2026 marks their eighth consecutive appearance. They co-hosted the 2002 tournament with South Korea, reaching the Round of 16 for the first time. They repeated that feat in 2010, 2018 and 2022, with the 2022 campaign — beating Germany and Spain before a penalty defeat to Croatia — among their most celebrated. Japan have never advanced beyond the Round of 16, a barrier this generation is determined to break.
-
1998
First-ever World Cup qualification
Japan made their World Cup debut, establishing the run of consecutive qualifications that continues to this day.
-
2002
Co-hosts with South Korea — first Round of 16
Japan co-hosted with South Korea and reached the Round of 16 for the first time.
-
2010
Round of 16 in South Africa
Japan reached the Round of 16 in South Africa, repeating their best-ever finish.
-
2018
Round of 16 again in Russia
Japan reached the Round of 16 again in Russia, cementing their status as a consistent knockout-stage contender.
-
2022
Beat Germany and Spain — penalty exit to Croatia
Japan’s most celebrated campaign: beat Germany and Spain in the group stage before falling to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.
-
2026
Eighth consecutive — the quarter-final quest
Buoyed by their 2022 heroics, Japan arrive in 2026 with a long-stated ambition of finally breaking their last-16 ceiling and reaching a first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
Eight straight World Cups, stadium cleaners and the Asian record in Nagatomo’s sights
2026 is Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup appearance
2026 is Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Nagatomo set to become the first Asian player at five different World Cups
Yuto Nagatomo is set to become the first Asian player to feature at five different World Cups.
Japan beat both Germany and Spain in the 2022 group stage
Japan beat both Germany and Spain in the 2022 group stage.
Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup alongside South Korea
They co-hosted the 2002 World Cup alongside South Korea.
Japanese fans are famous for cleaning up the stadium stands after matches
Japanese fans are famous for cleaning up the stadium stands after matches.
The team’s nickname, Samurai Blue, nods to the warrior tradition and the kit colour
The team’s nickname, Samurai Blue, nods to the warrior tradition and the kit colour.
Japan have reached the Round of 16 four times but never the quarter-finals
Japan have reached the Round of 16 four times but never the quarter-finals.
The squad is increasingly built around players in Europe’s top five leagues
The squad is increasingly built around players in Europe’s top five leagues.
The world’s favourite giant-killers — and a historic quarter-final quest.
- Giant-killers — Few teams cause upsets as thrillingly as Japan.
- Pure technical football — Slick, fast and a joy to watch.
- The Nagatomo milestone — History on the line for the veteran.
- Class fanbase — The famously respectful Japanese supporters add to the spectacle.
- The quarter-final quest — Will this be the generation that finally breaks through?
Group F runners-up contender — Round of 16, with quarter-final upside if the draw opens up.
Japan are good enough to escape Group F but face a fight against the Netherlands and Sweden. We expect a tight battle for second place; if Kubo and Doan stay healthy, Japan can reach the Round of 16 again. Breaking into the quarter-finals would be historic and is within reach if the draw opens up.