Japan arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with momentum, ambition and a squad that has been maturing through one of the country's most successful international eras. Manager Hajime Moriyasu has built a group that blends continuity — including the remarkable Yuto Nagatomo at his fifth World Cup — with the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu after a lengthy injury absence and a core of European-based players who compete at the highest club level week to week.
Japan's performances at Qatar 2022, where they beat Spain and Germany in the group stage, set the benchmark. This squad is built to go further.
Group F: Netherlands · Japan · Sweden · Tunisia
Opening match: Netherlands vs Japan — 14 June 2026, AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Full Squad
| Player | Position | Club | Previous World Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomoki Hayakawa | Goalkeeper | Kashima Antlers | 0 |
| Keisuke Osako | Goalkeeper | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 0 |
| Zion Suzuki | Goalkeeper | Parma Calcio | 0 |
| Yuto Nagatomo | Defender | FC Tokyo | 4 (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022) |
| Shogo Taniguchi | Defender | Sint-Truiden | 1 (2022) |
| Ko Itakura | Defender | Ajax | 1 (2022) |
| Tsuyoshi Watanabe | Defender | Feyenoord | 0 |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | Defender | Ajax | 1 (2022) |
| Hiroki Ito | Defender | Bayern Munich | 1 (2022) |
| Ayumu Seko | Defender | Le Havre AC | 0 |
| Yukinari Sugawara | Defender | Werder Bremen | 0 |
| Junosuke Suzuki | Defender | FC Copenhagen | 0 |
| Wataru Endo | Midfielder | Liverpool | 2 (2018, 2022) |
| Junya Ito | Midfielder | Genk | 1 (2022) |
| Daichi Kamada | Midfielder | Crystal Palace | 1 (2022) |
| Koki Ogawa | Midfielder | NEC Nijmegen | 0 |
| Daizen Maeda | Midfielder | Celtic | 1 (2022) |
| Ritsu Doan | Midfielder | Eintracht Frankfurt | 1 (2022) |
| Ao Tanaka | Midfielder | Leeds United | 1 (2022) |
| Kaishu Sano | Midfielder | Mainz 05 | 0 |
| Takefusa Kubo | Midfielder | Real Sociedad | 1 (2022) |
| Ayase Ueda | Forward | Feyenoord | 1 (2022) |
| Keito Nakamura | Forward | Stade de Reims | 0 |
| Yuito Suzuki | Forward | SC Freiburg | 0 |
| Kento Shioda | Forward | Wolfsburg | 0 |
| Keisuke Goto | Forward | Sint-Truiden | 0 |
Key Players to Watch
Takefusa Kubo is arguably Japan's most technically gifted player. The Real Sociedad midfielder has the close control, pace and intelligence to hurt any opponent in one-on-one situations. A full, fit tournament from Kubo could be transformative for Japan's attacking play.
Wataru Endo provides the defensive foundation in midfield. The Liverpool captain's reading of the game, positioning and ability to win possession high up the pitch allows Japan's more creative players to function in the spaces ahead of him.
Yuto Nagatomo at his fifth World Cup is a story in itself. The 37-year-old defender brings a level of calm authority and knowledge of tournament football that you simply cannot manufacture. For the younger players around him, his presence is invaluable.
Group Stage Outlook
Group F is competitive. The Netherlands are the group favourites and carry quality across every position. Sweden come in with one of Europe's most in-form attacking lines — Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres being the headline names. Tunisia are well-organised and experienced at this level.
Japan's best-case scenario is finishing second behind the Netherlands. Their 2022 performances against elite European opposition show they can compete; the question is whether they can sustain it across a longer tournament with tighter recovery windows.
The Samurai Blue are at their most dangerous in transition — quick, direct attacks launched from a compact defensive shape. If Moriyasu can maintain that structure without the ball and make the best use of his European-based attackers in possession, Japan will be dangerous for any team they face in the knockouts.
Squad Profile
Japan's squad has a strong European footprint. Players competing in the Bundesliga, Premier League, Eredivisie, La Liga and across Ligue 1 give the national team a depth of technical and physical development that previous generations could not draw on.
Of the 26 players, the majority are based outside Japan, which reflects the globalisation of Japanese football over the past decade. This has produced a generation of players who are accustomed to training and competing at the highest levels of the club game.
FAQ
Who manages Japan at the 2026 World Cup?
Hajime Moriyasu, who has been in charge since 2018 and led Japan to the round of 16 at Qatar 2022.
Who are Japan's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endo, Ritsu Doan, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Yuto Nagatomo are among the most important players in the squad.
When do Japan play their first game at the 2026 World Cup?
Japan's opening match is against the Netherlands on 14 June 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
How many World Cups has Yuto Nagatomo played in?
Nagatomo has appeared at four previous World Cups — 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 — making 2026 his fifth tournament.