Could Japan be the World Cup's dark horses?
Summary
Japan's national soccer team is seen as a strong contender for a surprise deep run in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. They have shown good results against top European teams, experienced growth with many players competing in top European leagues, and aim to reach at least the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.Key Facts
- Japan went unbeaten against European teams at the 2022 World Cup, beating Germany and Spain and drawing with Croatia.
- Japan was eliminated in the round of 16 in 2022 after losing a penalty shootout to Croatia.
- The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with an expanded format including 48 teams.
- Japan is in Group F with the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia for the 2026 tournament.
- The team has not lost to European opponents in their last nine matches.
- Former captain Maya Yoshida, now a support leader, sets a goal to reach the quarter-finals, a stage Japan has never reached.
- Manager Hajime Moriyasu aims for Japan to become one of the top teams and views winning the World Cup as a realistic target.
- Many Japanese players now play in Europe's top five leagues, helping improve the team's quality and experience against top-level competition.
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