JPN
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP F · POT 2

Japan
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Hajime Moriyasu · Second World Cup as head coach
MD1 Jun 14 vs Netherlands MD2 Jun 20 vs Tunisia MD3 Jun 25 vs Sweden
7th World Cup appearance · best finish: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
26
Squad size
27.0
Avg. age
23 / 26
Overseas-based
12 / 14
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Hajime Moriyasu's second World Cup as head coach — after Qatar 2022 (he served as an assistant under Akira Nishino at Russia 2018). His squad balances European top-flight regulars with a few surprise inclusions of younger players.

Captain Wataru Endo (Liverpool) withdrew with a left-foot injury just before the tournament and retired from international duty, with defender Ko Itakura named the new captain. Mainz's Kaishu Sano now anchors the midfield, while the attack runs through Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace). Ayase Ueda has grown into a first-choice number nine at Feyenoord, and Shuto Machino (Borussia Mönchengladbach) was called up as Endo's replacement, inheriting the No. 6 shirt.

Zion Suzuki of Parma retains the gloves. Group F pairs Japan with the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia — the opener against the Dutch on June 14 looms as the group's pivotal fixture.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 3-4-2-1.

A 3-4-2-1 synthesised from multiple predicted lineups. With Endō out, a Sano–Kamada double pivot is the expected core (most pundits see Kamada as a deeper volante). A back three including new captain Itakura sits behind wing-backs Doan and Nakamura, with Kubo and Ito as the two shadows and Ueda up top. The third centre-back and the left shadow remain fluid — Tanaka and Yuito Suzuki are also in the mix.

3-4-2-1 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

8
RW · FW
T. Kubo
Real Sociedad · 25 · La Liga
41 caps · 6G WC: 2022
Attacking spark
ACE
4
CB · DF
K. Itakura
Ajax · 29 · Eredivisie
40 caps · 2G WC: 2022
Captain & midfield anchor
CAPTAIN
15
AM · MF
D. Kamada
Crystal Palace · 29 · Premier League
49 caps · 12G WC: 2022
Premier League playmaker
18
ST · FW
A. Ueda
Feyenoord · 27 · Eredivisie
26 caps · 11G WC: 2022
Eredivisie No.9
1
GK · GK
Z. Suzuki
Parma · 23 · Serie A
24 caps · 0G WC debut
Young first-choice keeper
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 7
FW FORWARDS 7
GROUP F

GROUP F.

NED
Netherlands
POT 1
JPN
Japan
POT 2
SWE
Sweden
POT 3
TUN
Tunisia
POT 4
Sun, Jun 14
Netherlands vs Japan
Dallas Stadium · Arlington, TX
Pot 1 Netherlands sets the tone. Ajax pair Itakura and Tomiyasu lead a back line drilled against Bundesliga-level pace, while Japan look to spring Kubo and Doan on the counter.
View lineups →
MD1
Sat, Jun 20
Tunisia vs Japan
Estadio Monterrey · Monterrey, MEX
Cracking Tunisia's compact block is the test. Kamada's lay-offs and Ueda's runs in behind are the preferred route; set-piece duels with Itakura, Tomiyasu and Ito also loom large.
View lineups →
MD2
Thu, Jun 25
Japan vs Sweden
Dallas Stadium · Arlington, TX
Final group game with table positions on the line. The Itakura-Ito centre-back pairing must handle Sweden's tall forwards in the air. A natural stage for rotation — Shiogai, Goto and Yuito Suzuki could earn looks.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group F
  1. Round of 32 Jun 29 · Guadalupe vs Runners-up Group C
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Houston vs Winner of Match 73
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 89
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group F
  1. Round of 32 Jun 29 · Houston vs Winners Group C
  2. Round of 16 Jul 05 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 78
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Miami Gardens vs Winner of Match 92
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 100
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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