🇯🇵 Japan — Country Guide, World Cup 2026

The Samurai Blue

How They Play

Disciplined, organized, and technically precise — Japan presses high, moves the ball quickly, and has produced a generation of players thriving in Europe's top leagues.

Star Player

Takefusa Kubo

Fun Fact

Japan beat both Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup — two former World Champions — before losing to Croatia on penalties.

World Cup 2026 Outlook

No longer a surprise — Japan arrives as a respected team capable of beating anyone in their group and dangerous in the knockouts.