Japan at the 2026 World Cup: Squad, Analysis & Odds

Tournament outlook

Japan beat Germany and Spain in 2022 and have only deepened their European talent pool since. They are many analysts' pick to finally crack the quarter-finals.

Managed by Hajime Moriyasu, Japan head into the 2026 World Cup in Group F, where they face Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia. With a FIFA ranking of #18, expectations are calibrated accordingly, but tournament football has a way of rewriting the script.

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Key players

Takefusa Kubo

RW · Real Sociedad

Kaoru Mitoma

LW · Brighton

Wataru Endō

DM · Liverpool

Strengths & weaknesses

▲ Strengths

Slick technical play
Pressing
European-based depth

▼ Weaknesses

Finishing big chances
Set-piece defending

How far can Japan go?

Japan have the quality to escape the group and trouble seeded sides. A quarter-final would be a strong tournament. Follow our matchup previews and live odds throughout the group stage to track their progress.