Sports Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

[thomas]

Japan's World Cup campaign begins on 14 June with a Group F match against the Netherlands at Dallas Stadium in Texas, a meeting between two ambitious sides featuring players from some of Europe's top leagues.

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The Samurai Blue (サムライブルー) arrive without injured winger Mitoma Kaoru, one of the team's most recognisable stars. Even so, the squad still includes considerable attacking and technical quality. Several Japanese players are also familiar with Dutch football through their club careers. Defender Itakura Kō and striker Ueda Ayase currently play in the Netherlands, while Watanabe Tsuyoshi and Ogawa Kōki have also spent time in the Eredivisie. Their experience could give Japan some insight into the Dutch style of play.

Much of the attention will fall on Kubo Takefusa. The Real Sociedad playmaker has developed into one of Asia's leading attacking players, known for his close control, creativity and vision. With Mitoma unavailable, Kubo is expected to carry much of Japan's attacking burden and may prove key if Japan are to break down the Dutch defence.

Players to Watch When Japan Faces the Netherlands

Japan

newsonjapan.com

 

[thomas]

That was an exciting match. Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, scoring the equaliser in the 85th minute. The six minutes of added time were nerve-racking. Congratulations, Samurai Blue!

日本、オランダと2―2で引き分け　後半40分過ぎに追いつく　W杯：朝日新聞

アメリカ、メキシコ、カナダの3カ国で共催されているサッカーワールドカップ（W杯）北中米大会は14日（日本時間15日）、大会第4日があり、日本はグループリーグF組の初戦でオランダと対戦し、2―2で引き…

www.asahi.com

 

[thomas]

Shibuya Crossing yesterday morning after Japan's tie against the Netherlands.

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[thomas]

Sadly, I am at work, but today at 13:00 JST Japan will play its second World Cup game, this time against Tunisia!

The game will mark the 1,000th match in World Cup history!

Football: Moriyasu anticipates tough battle with Tunisia in 1,000th World Cup match - The Mainichi

GUADALUPE, Mexico (Kyodo) -- Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu is bracing for a totally different challenge from their opener when they take on Tunisia on

mainichi.jp

https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/japan-v-tunisia-marks-1000th-world-cup-match-fifa-says-2026-06-19/

FIFA World Cup Group F LIVE: Tunisia v Japan - score, TV coverage, radio commentary, text updates & match stats

Watch BBC One coverage, listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary, follow text and score updates and track the latest match stats as Tunisia take on Japan in Group F of the 2026 World Cup at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico.

www.bbc.com

 

[thomas]

Great performance by the Samurai Blue and some truly beautiful goals!

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Japan Crush Tunisia 4-0 to Move Closer to World Cup Knockout Stage

Japan delivered their strongest performance of the World Cup so far with a 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey on June 21, moving to four points in Group F and putting themselves in a strong position to reach the knockout stage ahead of their final group match against Sweden.

newsonjapan.com

 

[thomas]

The Samurai Blue have supporters in China! It is heartening to see sportsmanship prevail despite the current tensions between the two countries.

In a packed Shanghai sports bar, Chinese soccer fans erupted in frenzied delight as Japan's Ayase Ueda looped a header over Tunisia's goalkeeper to secure a 4-0 win in a World Cup group match. China isn't the most obvious place for Japan fandom to thrive — the two countries' historical animosity is never far from the surface and relations have been tense since conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office in Tokyo last year. But for the dozens of blue-jerseyed Chinese supporters in the bar on Sunday afternoon glued to Japan's every move on massive screens, their love of the soccer team has a long personal history, completely detached from politics.

"For our generation — the 90s generation — most of us basically grew up watching a lot of Japanese anime, including "Captain Tsubasa" (a series about a soccer prodigy)," said Fan, the group's main organizer, who gave only his surname. "More importantly, since we are both part of Asia, you could say that Japan now represents the pride and glory of Asian football." China has only qualified once for the World Cup, in 2002, when it lost all three of its games without scoring a goal.

Fans in China put politics aside to cheer Japan at World Cup

Chinese supporters of the Samurai Blue say their fandom has nothing to do with politics, reflecting instead a long admiration for Japanese soccer and what it represents for Asia.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[thomas]

Japan secured second place in World Cup Group F with a 1-1 draw against Sweden on Thursday (Friday morning JST) in Arlington, Texas. The result left Japan runners-up behind the Netherlands and set up a round-of-32 meeting with Brazil on 29 June in Houston. Sweden, meanwhile, climbed to the top of the standings among the third-placed teams and also advanced to the round of 32, where they will face an opponent yet to be determined.

Japan advances to World Cup knockout stage after draw with Sweden

Japan holds on to finish as the runner-up in Group F and book a meeting in ‌the knockout ‌stage with five-time champion Brazil.

www.japantimes.co.jp

FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights: Japan v Sweden: Group F

3-minute highlights from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Japan and Sweden at Dallas Stadium.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[thomas]

The NYT predicts a win for Brazil in the upcoming knockout game against Japan:

"Japan arrived at this tournament as one of the 'dark horses' and they have made a habit of causing the elite teams real issues in this competition in recent times. They are a confident group who believe they can go far but those ambitions will be tested against Brazil. They are defined by their compact defensive structure but their cohesion and technical qualities in possession are still able to shine. Their goal against Sweden, scored by Daizen Maeda, was an excellent team move. While Brazil are still tinkering with their identity, Japan know theirs inside and out and, while they are missing some of their stars through injury, they have depth and players who can step up."

The Athletic Soccer Experts: BRAZIL WIN

Guest subscriber Samer: BRAZIL WIN

Six-year-old Wilfred: BRAZIL WIN

Stanley the dog: BRAZIL WIN

Algo: BRAZIL WIN

World Cup predictions round of 32: Brazil vs Japan, Netherlands vs Morocco and rest of matchday 19

Who knows more about soccer? Us ‘experts’, you the subscribers, a child, a dog or an algorithm? Come join us to predict each World Cup game

www.nytimes.com

Unfortunately, kick-off is Tuesday at 2 a.m. JST. Hopefully, we'll wake up to good news at breakfast.

 

[Mikawa Ossan]

Bad news

 

[thomas]

A thriller indeed.

Japan's World Cup campaign ended in the cruellest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli's late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

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Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in...

newsonjapan.com

Well, that ends this thread.

 

[Lothor]

A thriller indeed.

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Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in...

newsonjapan.com

Well, that ends this thread.

That ends the thread and Japan's interest in the World Cup!

 

[Kulern]

That last goal by Brazil hurt so badly, they were that close to Tie! Japan did a good fight in this

 

[mdchachi]

A thriller indeed.

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Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in...

newsonjapan.com

Well, that ends this thread.

I wouldn't normally watch a football match but we were in an airport and we saw almost the whole match. It was indeed a good match with drama until the (disappointing) end.

 

[Lothor]

That last goal by Brazil hurt so badly, they were that close to Tie! Japan did a good fight in this

We're playing you next! May the best team win!

 

[Kulern]

We're playing you next! May the best team win!

Agreed! I will cheer for Norway since its my country team. But i wishes England the best on Saturday aswell!

 

[Kulern]

Argentina be like. In the last moments of almost losing to Egypt. Anime hero card moment of victory!
Egypt played well though, but man that turn around!!! Was legendary!