The Japan men’s national football team, nicknamed the Samurai Blue, has grown into one of Asia’s most consistent and competitive international sides. They made their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 1998 and have qualified for every tournament since then, making eight consecutive World Cup appearances including 2026. Japan also co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea, a historic moment that helped accelerate the development of the sport in the country.
In World Cup history, Japan’s best results have been reaching the Round of 16 — achieved in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022 — but they have yet to advance beyond that stage. They gained global attention in Qatar 2022 by defeating both Germany and Spain in the group stage before exiting in the knockouts on penalties.
Japan’s qualification campaign for 2026 was dominant: they became the first team (outside the three host nations) to secure a spot in the tournament with a 2–0 victory over Bahrain in the Asian qualifiers, finishing their group highly impressively.
The 2026 World Cup will be held from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and will be the first edition with 48 teams, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Japan enters as one of the strongest AFC sides with a blend of experienced internationals and players starring in top European leagues.
Group Stage – Group F
At the 2026 tournament, Japan has been drawn into Group F, where they will compete against:
Netherlands – European powerhouse with a rich World Cup legacy
Tunisia – Strong African side with World Cup experience
UEFA Play-off B winner – A team to be decided from the European qualification playoffs
This group presents a mix of styles and challenges, offering Japan a competitive pathway to try to advance into the knockout rounds in a major tournament held in North America for the first time.
Group F
| Pos | Club |
|---|---|
| 1 |  Netherlands |
| 2 |  Japan |
| 3 |  Sweden |
| 4 |  Tunisia |