The nation is determined to break new ground by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time on their eighth appearance.
Since making their debut at France 1998, Japan have not missed a FIFA World Cup.
They were the first non-host nation to book their spot in North America this summer, comfortably qualifying for their eighth consecutive finals by winning their Asian qualifying group.
Last time out at Qatar 2022, Japan impressed by beating international football powerhouses Germany and Spain to top their group, before taking Croatia to penalties in the Round of 16.
This time around, they face the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia and arrive at the tournament full of confidence, having beaten England in a friendly at Wembley in March.
Quick facts
- Captain: Endo Wataru
- Manager: Moriyasu Hajime
- World Cup appearances (including 2026): 8
- Best World Cup result: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Japan’s full squad
Goalkeepers: Hayakawa Tomoki (Kashima Antlers), Suzuki Zion (Parma), Osako Keisuke (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
Defenders: Nagatomo Yuto (FC Tokyo), Taniguchi Shogo (Sint-Truiden), Tomiyasu Takehiro (Ajax), Itakura Ko (Ajax), Watanabe Tsuyoshi (Feyenoord), Ito Hiroki (Bayern Munich), Suzuki Junnosuke (København), Seko Ayumu (Le Havre), Sugawara Yukinari (Werder Bremen)
Midfielders & forwards: Kamada Daichi (Crystal Palace), Sano Kaishu (Mainz), Tanaka Ao (Leeds United), Endo Wataru (Liverpool), Nakamura Keito (Reims), Doan Ritsu (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ito Junya (Genk), Kubo Takefusa (Real Sociedad), Suzuki Yuito (Freiburg), Ueda Ayase (Feyenoord), Ogawa Koki (Nijmegen), Maeda Daizen (Celtic), Shiogai Kento (Wolfsburg), Goto Keisuke (Sint-Truiden)