In seven appearances so far since 1998, Japan have reached the round of 16s four times at the FIFA World Cup. In the 2026 edition, Japan are placed in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.

Hajime Moriyasu has rolled the dice with several doubtful stars in Japan’s FIFA World Cup squad but there was no place for the injured Kaoru Mitoma.

The FIFA World Cup has only just begun, and Japan's national team has already encountered its first setback in Mexico. According to reports from Monterrey-based media outlets, including journalist Willie González,

Here is Japan's World Cup group stage opponents, which stadiums they will play at, and the times for the games.

Japan won Group E four years ago, besting soccer superpowers and past champions Germany and Spain, and it will have to advance past some more stiff competition in 2026. The team has been drawn into Group F with perennial title contenders the Netherlands, as well as Sweden and Tunisia.

Every soccer World Cup is an opportunity for Japan to deploy an unusual instrument of soft power.

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — Japan's national team changed practice venues in Monterrey on Thursday ahead of the World Cup after players encountered an uneven pitch marred by patches of dirt at their original training ground.

This is the first Asian side entering a World Cup where success and failure will be judged not by group-stage survival or an upset, but by how far they progress in the knockouts.

My Hero Academia has officially joined forces with Japan’s national football team, SAMURAI BLUE, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. From exclusive character jerseys to limited edition merchandise and viral fan reactions,