Japan’s World Cup 2026 team preview: Players to watch, group, squad

Best performance: Last 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022) Fixtures: Netherlands (June 14, Dallas, US), Tunisia (June 20, Monterrey, Mexico), Sweden (June 25, Dallas, US) Japan have been late bloomers in terms of World Cups, only reaching the tournament for the first time in 1998 – but since then they have been at every edition. While they have never gotten past the last 16 – even as cohosts in 2002 – their current crop of players is surely the most talented in the national side’s history. Japan were th

The Samurai Blue have beaten Germany, Brazil, England and Spain since 2022. While they can beat any team on their day, it is unclear whether they can sustain a genuine title push throughout a long tournament and they have been rocked by an injury to star player Kaoru Mitoma. It was only a friendly, and England have rarely beaten top sides recently, and Wembley can have an awfully flat vibe; but for all the caveats, Japan’s recent win 1-0 there in March, courtesy of a Kaoru Mitoma goal was well deserved and sent a statement. It was only England coach Thomas Tuchel’s second defeat in charge of England following a perfect qualification campaign. Japan also beat a tricky Scotland side in the same international window. In the last World Cup, Japan claimed famous wins over Spain and Germany in the group stage to top the standings, and were only stopped in the last 16 by Croatia on penalties. Japan are not a surprise package any more – they have an elite, mostly European-based team. Japan fans at Wembley as their side beat England on March 31 [Isabel Infantes/Reuters] Kubo promises to step up in Mitoma’s absence Japanese right-winger Takefusa Kubo has promised to fill the void left by Mitoma, who will miss the tournament with a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Brighton against Wolves earlier in May. Kubo, 24, has had a fantastic season at Real Sociedad, where he has tormented the best defences of La Liga and helped his side lift the Copa del Rey. He suffered a hamstring injury of his own in January that kept him out for nearly two months, but is now fit and raring to go. “[Mitoma’s] injury is so disappointing. I got in touch with him directly but naturally, it’s a tough time for him, he’s such an important player,” Kubo was quoted as saying by Japanese media on Friday.

Key points

• The Samurai Blue have beaten Germany, Brazil, England and Spain since 2022.
• While they can beat any team on their day, it is unclear whether they can sustain a genuine title push throughout a long tournament and they have been rocked by an injury to star player Kaoru Mitoma.
• It was only a friendly, and England have rarely beaten top sides recently, and Wembley can have an awfully flat vibe; but for all the caveats, Japan’s recent win 1-0 there in March, courtesy of a K…
• It was only England coach Thomas Tuchel’s second defeat in charge of England following a perfect qualification campaign.
• Japan also beat a tricky Scotland side in the same international window.