News Focus
- Japan aim to win the World Cup after years of controlling Asian football
- Coach Hajime Moriyasu leads the strongest squad in the nation’s history
- The team has never reached the quarter-finals in six previous attempts
- Several key stars are injured but the squad possesses excellent depth
- The campaign begins with a difficult match against the Netherlands in Texas
Japan’s national team no longer accepts being the best in Asia. They want to lift the World Cup trophy.
In 2002, Japan hosted the tournament together with South Korea. The Koreans reached the semi-finals and impressed the world. Japan only reached the Round of 16 before losing to Turkey. This difference still pains Japanese supporters.
For two decades, Japan has chased that success. They started the professional J-League before South Korea’s league began. Many Japanese players now compete for top European clubs. However, they still cannot pass the Round of 16 stage.
Hajime Moriyasu has coached the team since 2018. He is the longest-serving manager in the country’s history. He speaks openly about winning the competition.
Japan won nearly all their qualifying matches. They also defeated strong teams like England and Brazil in friendly games. These results give the players confidence.
Injuries present problems. Captain Wataru Endo cannot play. Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma and Monaco attacker Takumi Minamino are also hurt. However, Japan now has many good replacements. This situation shows how much Japanese football has developed.
Mitoma could play in several positions. Without him, Keito Nakamura will likely play on the left wing. Takefusa Kubo from Real Sociedad will operate on the right. Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda will lead the attack. Celtic’s Daizen Maeda or Genk’s Junya Ito provide other options. Daichi Kamada from Crystal Palace might play a deeper role. The coach has many tactical choices.
Japan face the Netherlands in their opening match in Arlington. The Dutch team also struggles with injuries. The group presents serious challenges. The winners will face difficult opponents from the Brazil and Scotland section.
In 1992, Japan announced a plan to win the World Cup by 2092. They later moved this target to 2050. Many people thought this was impossible. But now Japan looks capable of achieving this dream.
If a team from outside Europe or South America wins the tournament, Japan appears the most likely candidate. They possess the talent and the self-belief required.