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Japan national football team

Men's association football team


Men's association football team

FieldValue
NameJapan
BadgeJapan_national_football_team_crest.svg
Badge_size165px
FIFA TrigrammeJPN
<br />(Samurai Blue)<ref name":4" /
Since 19 October 2009
AssociationJapan Football Association (JFA)
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationEAFF (East Asia)
website
CoachHajime Moriyasu
CaptainWataru Endo
Most capsYasuhito Endō (152)
Top scorerKunishige Kamamoto (75)
Home StadiumVarious
FIFA Rank
FIFA max9
FIFA max dateFebruary–March 1998
FIFA min66
FIFA min dateDecember 1992
Elo Rank
Elo max8
Elo max dateAugust 2001, March 2002
Elo min123
Elo min dateSeptember 1962
pattern_la1_jap26h
pattern_b1_jap26hA
pattern_ra1_jap26h
pattern_sh1_jap26h
pattern_so1_jap26hl
leftarm1001040
body1001040
rightarm1001040
shorts1001040
socks1001040
pattern_la2_jap24a
pattern_b2_jap24a
pattern_ra2_jap24a
pattern_sh2_jap24a
pattern_so2_jap24al
leftarm2FFFFFF
body2FFFFFF
rightarm2FFFFFF
shorts2FFFFFF
socks2FFFFFF
First game0–5
(Tokyo, Japan; 9 May 1917)
Largest win15–0
(Tokyo; 27 September 1967)
Largest loss2–15
(Tokyo; 10 May 1917)
World cup apps8
World cup first1998
World cup bestRound of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
Regional nameAsian Cup
Regional cup apps11
Regional cup first1988
Regional cup bestChampions (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
2ndRegional nameCopa América (as guest)
2ndRegional cup apps2
2ndRegional cup first1999
2ndRegional cup bestGroup stage (1999, 2019)
3rdRegional nameAfro-Asian Cup of Nations
3rdRegional cup apps2
3rdRegional cup first1993
3rdRegional cup bestChampions (1993, 2007)
Confederations cup apps5
Confederations cup first1995
Confederations cup bestRunners-up (2001)
Note

the men's team

サムライ・ブルー (Samurai Blue) Since 19 October 2009 | Sub-confederation = EAFF (East Asia) (Tokyo, Japan; 9 May 1917) (Tokyo; 27 September 1967) (Tokyo; 10 May 1917)

The Japan national football team, also known by the nickname Samurai Blue, represents Japan in men's international football. It is controlled by the Japan Football Association (JFA), the governing body for football in Japan.

Prior to the late 1980s, Japan's national football team was largely amateur, with the sport less popular domestically than baseball or sumo. Since the early 1990s, following the full professionalization of the sport, Japan has emerged as one of Asia's leading teams. The national team has qualified for every FIFA World Cup since 1998 (including an automatic berth as co-hosts of the 2002 tournament alongside South Korea), advancing to the knockout stage in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022. Japan has also won a record four Asian Cup titles, in 1992, 2000, 2004, and 2011. In addition, the team finished as runners-up in both the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup. Japan is one of only three teams from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to have reached the final of a senior FIFA men's competition, alongside Australia and Saudi Arabia.

Japan's progression in a short period has served as an inspiration and example of how to develop football. Their main rivals are South Korea and Australia; they also developed rivalries against Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Japan was the first team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited in the 1999, 2011, 2015, and 2019 editions of the tournament, although they only played in the 1999 and 2019 events.

Japan is currently at the 18th place in the FIFA world ranking, being the highest ranked Asian side since December 2022.

History

1910s–1930s: Pre-war era

Japan's earliest international matches were at the 1917 Far Eastern Championship Games in Tokyo, where it was represented by a team from the Tokyo Higher Normal School. Although Japan made strong showings in swimming, baseball, and track and field, its football team suffered resounding defeats to the Republic of China and the Philippines. Nevertheless, the game was promoted in Japanese schools in the 1920s. The Japan Football Association was formed in 1921, and Japan joined FIFA in May 1929. However, Japan refused to participate in the 1930 FIFA World Cup.

Japan's first "true" national team (as opposed to a university team chosen to represent the country) was fielded at the 1930 Far Eastern Championship Games, and drew with China for the championship title. Shigeyoshi Suzuki coached the national team to its first Olympic appearance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Japan was an entrant for 1938 FIFA World Cup qualifying, but withdrew before its scheduled qualifying match against the Dutch East Indies.

After World War II began, Japan did not play in international competition, except for a handful of matches against Manchuria and other colonies. Its last prewar match for purposes of Elo ratings was a friendly against the Philippines in June 1940. While Korea was under Japanese rule, multiple Koreans played in international competition for Japan, including Kim Yong-sik (1936–40), Kim Sung-gan (1940) and Lee Yoo-hyung (1940).

1950s–1980s: Post-war era

President's Cup

Japan's postwar debut was in the 1951 Asian Games in India. Japan re-joined FIFA in 1950 and played in qualifiers for the 1954 World Cup, but lost the AFC qualifying berth to South Korea after two matches. Japan also joined the Asian Football Confederation in 1954.

Dettmar Cramer joined the Japan national team as coach in 1960, and helped lead the team to the round of eight at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Japan's first major achievement in international football came in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where the team won the bronze medal. Although this result earned the sport increased recognition in Japan, the absence of a professional domestic league hindered its growth and Japan would not qualify for the World Cup until 30 years later.{{cite web | access-date = 2 November 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060512150136/http://www.wldcup.com/Asia/jleague/history.html | archive-date = 12 May 2006}} Nonetheless, Japan were close to qualifying for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, but lost to South Korea in the deciding matches.

Japan made its first appearance in the AFC Asian Cup in 1988, where they were eliminated in the group stage following a draw with Iran and losses to South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The late 1980s saw concrete moves to professionalize the sport in Japan. JFA introduced a Special Licensed Player system in 1986, allowing a limited number of professional players to compete in the domestic semi-professional league. Action committees were held in 1988 and 1989 to discuss the introduction of a full professional league in Japan.

1990s: Rise

In the 1990s, the Japan Football Association began the professionalization of its national football team. In 1991, the owners of the semi-professional Japan Soccer League agreed to disband the league and re-form as the professional J.League, partly to raise the sport's profile and to strengthen the national team program. The following year, Japan hosted the 1992 AFC Asian Cup and won their first title by defeating Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the final. The J.League was officially launched in 1993.

However, in its first attempt to qualify with professional players, Japan narrowly missed a ticket to the 1994 FIFA World Cup after drawing with Iraq in the final match of the qualification round, remembered by fans as the "Agony of Doha". Japan's next tournament was a defence of their continental title at the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. The team won all their games in the group stage but were eliminated in the quarter-finals after a 2–0 loss to Kuwait.

The nation's first ever FIFA World Cup appearance was in 1998, where Japan lost all their games. The first two fixtures went 1–0 in favour of Argentina and Croatia, and the campaign ended with a 2–1 defeat to Jamaica. Japan impressed, however, as all three defeats were only by a one goal margin.

2000s: Two Asian Cup titles, World Cup co-hosts

In the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, Japan managed to reclaim their title after defeating Saudi Arabia in the final, becoming Asian champions for the second time.

Two years later, Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with South Korea. After a 2–2 draw with Belgium in their opening match, the Japanese team advanced to the second round with a 1–0 win over Russia and a 2–0 victory against Tunisia. However, they subsequently exited the tournament during the round of 16, after losing 1–0 to eventual third-place finishers Turkey in extra time.

With the 2004 AFC Asian Cup hosted by China, the Japanese managed to retain the title by winning their group after two victories over Thailand and Oman, before achieving victories against Jordan and Bahrain. They defeated the hosts in the final 3–1.

On 8 June 2005, Japan qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, its third consecutive World Cup, by beating North Korea 2–0 on neutral ground. However, Japan failed to advance to the round of 16, losing to future AFC rival Australia 3–1, drawing Croatia 0–0 and falling to Brazil 4–1.

The 2007 AFC Asian Cup saw Japan fail to defend its title. Although easily winning the group over Vietnam, Qatar and the UAE, the Japanese were totally exhausted in their game against Australia, where Japan won only by a penalty shootout. Japan lost to Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals, before failing in the third-place match against South Korea.

2010s

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers, Japan became the first team other than the host South Africa to qualify after defeating Uzbekistan 1–0 away. Japan was drawn in Group E along with the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon. Japan started with a 1–0 win against Cameroon, before subsequently losing to the Netherlands 1–0. Then, Japan resoundingly beat Denmark 3–1 to advance to the next round against Paraguay. In the round of 16, Japan were eliminated from the competition following penalties after a 0–0 draw against Paraguay.

After the 2010 FIFA World Cup, head coach Takeshi Okada resigned. He was replaced by former Juventus and Milan coach Alberto Zaccheroni. In his first few matches, Japan recorded victories over Guatemala (2–1) and Paraguay (1–0), as well as a 1–0 victory over Argentina.

Japan participated in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. On 29 January, they beat Australia 1–0 in the final after extra time, their fourth Asian Cup triumph and allowing them to qualify for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. The country then started their road to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Throughout, they suffered only two losses to Uzbekistan and Jordan, and drew against Australia. After a 1–1 draw with Australia, they qualified for the 2014 World Cup, becoming the first nation aside from the hosts to qualify.

Japan started their 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup campaign with a 3–0 loss to Brazil. They were then eliminated from the competition after losing to Italy 4–3. They lost their final match 1–2 against Mexico and finished in fourth place in Group A. One month later, in the EAFF East Asian Cup, they started out with a 3–3 draw to China. They then beat Australia 3–2 and beat South Korea 2–1 in the third and final match in the tournament to claim the title.

Japan was placed into Group C at the 2014 FIFA World Cup alongside the Ivory Coast, Greece and Colombia. They fell in their first match to Ivory Coast 2–1 after initially taking the lead, allowing two goals in a two-minute span. They drew their second game to Greece 0–0. To qualify for the second round, they needed a victory against Colombia and Greece to win against Ivory Coast. Greece beat Ivory Coast 2–1, but Colombia won 4–1, eliminating Japan from the World Cup. Alberto Zaccheroni resigned as head coach. In July 2014, former Mexico and Espanyol manager Javier Aguirre took over, and Japan lost 0–2 to Uruguay in the first game he managed.

Japan won its opening match at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Group D against Asian Cup debutantes Palestine 4–0, with goals from Yasuhito Endō, Shinji Okazaki, Keisuke Honda and Maya Yoshida. Okazaki was named man of the match. They then faced Iraq and Jordan in their next group matches, which they won 1–0 and 2–0 respectively. They qualified to the knockout stage as Group D winners with nine points, seven goals scored and no goals conceded. In the quarter-finals, Japan lost to the UAE in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw, as Honda and Shinji Kagawa missed their penalty kicks. Japan's elimination marked their worst performance in the tournament in 19 years.

After the Asian Cup, Aguirre was sacked following allegations of corruption during a prior tenure. He was replaced by Vahid Halilhodžić in March 2015. Japan started on a rough note during qualification, losing to the UAE 1–2 at home. They then picked up the pace in their other qualifier games against Iraq, Australia, and Thailand, picking up five wins and two draws. On 31 August 2017, Japan defeated Australia 2–0 at home, thus qualifying them for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, making it their sixth successive World Cup. However, the Japan Football Association decided to sack Halilhodžić on 9 April 2018, only ten weeks before the World Cup, citing reasons of a breakdown in relationship between the coach and players, and poor recent friendly results, and appoint the Technical Director, Japanese coach Akira Nishino as the new manager.

2019 Asian Cup

Japan made history in the 2018 FIFA World Cup by defeating Colombia 2–1, their first ever victory by any AFC team against a CONMEBOL team in an official tournament, as well as Japan's first ever victory at the FIFA World Cup finals in UEFA nations. Their second match against Senegal ended in a draw with goals from Takashi Inui and Keisuke Honda. Japan were defeated in their last group game in the Group H against Poland 1–0, leaving Japan and Senegal tied for second with an identical record; however, as Japan had received two fewer yellow cards, Japan advanced to the knockout stage on the Fair Play Points tiebreaker, the first team to do so. The match with Poland caused controversy, as Japan were made aware of their advantage over Senegal with ten minutes left and decided to play an extremely conservative game with no attempts to take a shot on goal, despite losing 1–0, with some fans booing the players. The match received comparison to the 1982 FIFA World Cup Disgrace of Gijón, in which a similar game was played. Japan were the only AFC team to have qualified to the knockout stage.

In the round of 16 against Belgium, Japan took a 2–0 lead with a goal in the 48th minute by Genki Haraguchi and another in the 52nd by Takashi Inui, but yielded three goals afterwards, including the winner by Nacer Chadli on the counterattack in the 94th minute. The defeat to Belgium was the first time a nation had lost a knockout match at the FIFA World Cup after taking a two-goal advantage since England lost to West Germany 3–2 in extra-time in the quarter-final of the 1970 edition. Despite losing a 2–0 lead, Japan's impressive performance was praised by fans, pundits and the media.

Japan participated in the 2019 Asian Cup, finishing on top of group F after defeating Turkmenistan 3–2, Oman 1–0 and Uzbekistan 2–1. Japan defeated Saudi Arabia in the round of sixteen and dark horse Vietnam in the quarter-finals by a 1–0 margin. After defeating Iran 3–0 to reach the final, Japan's hope to win their fifth Asian Cup was lost with the team suffering a 3–1 defeat to Qatar, who won the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.

Japan were invited to the 2019 Copa América, their second appearance at the tournament, and brought a young squad to the competition. They were placed in Group C with Uruguay, Chile and Ecuador. The nation lost their opening match 4–0 to Chile, before bouncing back and drawing against Uruguay 2–2. Japan needed a win against Ecuador to qualify for the knockouts, however they drew 1–1 and missed out due to inferior goal difference to Paraguay. Aftermath saw Japan played a friendly game against the Paraguayans, and won 2–0 at home.

2020s

Japan starting line up where they went on to win against Germany 2–1

After China was removed as host of the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, it was announced that Japan was the new host. After topping the table with two wins and one draw, Japan won the competition for the second time in their history.

Japan qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and were drawn into Group E with Germany, Costa Rica and Spain. On 23 November, Japan produced an upset, beating Germany 2–1, with two goals in an eight-minute span during the second half. After losing to Costa Rica 1–0, going into the final matchday, every team in Group E could qualify or be eliminated, with no team assured of any placement. In the end, Japan managed to qualify for the round of 16 by defeating Spain 2–1 in their final group stage match, while also contributing to Germany's elimination from the tournament. By topping their group, Japan went on to face Croatia in the round of 16 where they would lose 3–1 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. It was the third team in 52 years to have come from behind twice in one tournament, following Brazil and (West) Germany. They beat Spain with the lowest possession (18%) of the ball ever for a winning side since the 1966 FIFA World Cup. It also was the first time that an Asian team topped their FIFA World Cup group held outside their home country, and also the first Asian team to reach the knockouts twice in a row.

Japan were considered the favourites for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, but disappointed; Hajime Moriyasu's men began the tournament with an unconvincing victory over a Vietnamese side deprived of a number of key players (4–2), before going on to play a nightmarish game against Iraq (a 2–1 loss). This defeat, Japan's first in the group stage since their first appearance in 1988, condemned them to finish second in the group due to their unfavourable head-to-head record. The Japanese sealed three points after overcoming Indonesia 3–1 and then eliminated Bahrain by the same scoreline in the round of 16. Japan met Iran in the quarter-finals for a rematch of the previous edition's semi-final, and got the game off to a perfect start with Hidemasa Morita's 28th-minute opener, before falling completely flat in the second half, succumbing to Iran's fiery attacks, 2–1. The country suffered two defeats at the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since their debut in 1988, while conceding at least one goal in every match. The squad also had to contend with an extra controversy, with the sudden departure of Junya Itō shortly before the match against Iran, due to the Stade de Reims player having been accused of sexual assault.

On 20 March 2025, a 2–0 win against Bahrain saw Japan become the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Japan was drawn into Group F with Netherlands, Tunisia, and the UEFA playoff path B winner.

Team image

Nicknames

Japan's national football team is nicknamed the Samurai Blue by the JFA. The team also is often known by the last name of the manager. For example, under Takeshi Okada, the team was known as Okada Japan, or during the 2022 World Cup, the team is referred by the current manager's (Hajime Moriyasu) name, as "Moriyasu Japan".

Kits

The national team kit design has gone through several alterations in the past. In the early 1980s, the kit was white with blue trim. The kits worn for the 1992 Asian Cup consisted of white stripes (stylized to form a wing) with red diamonds. During the 1996 Asian Cup and the 1998 World Cup, the national team kits were blue jerseys with red and white flame designs on the sleeves, and were designed by JFA (with the sponsor alternating each year between Asics, Puma, and Adidas). The 1996 design was reproduced in a special kit used against Syria on 7 June 2017.

Japan uses blue and white rather than red and white due to a superstition. Japan first used blue shirts in the 1930 Far Eastern Championship Games, where a team of the Tokyo Imperial University (whose color is light blue) represented Japan wearing light blue shirts, and then in a match against Sweden in the 1936 Summer Olympics. Between 1988 and 1992, the kits were red and white, matching the colours of Japan's national flag. After failing to qualify for the 1990 World Cup and 1992 Summer Olympics, the red shirt was scrapped.

In the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2015 Asian Cup, Japan temporarily switched the colour of the numbers from white to gold.

Japan's kit is provided by German company Adidas, the team's exclusive kit supplier since April 1999. Before that, Asics and Puma had been the team's official apparel sponsor.

On 3 June 2021, Japan released the special 100th anniversary kit for a friendly match against Jamaica, but the match was cancelled and replaced with a match against the U-24 team. The kit was also used by the U-24 team against U-24 Ghana on 5 June 2021.

Kit suppliers

Kit providerPeriod
None1936–1978
JPN Asics1979
FRG Puma1980–1985
FRG Adidas1986
JPN Asics1987–1988
GER Adidas1989–1992
JPN Asics1993–1998
GER Adidas1999–present

Crest

[[Yatagarasu

The crest or emblem of the national team was adopted in late 2017 as part of a larger rebranding by the Japan Football Association. The crest features the Yatagarasu, a three-legged crow from Japanese mythology that is a symbol for the sun, holding a solid red ball that is like the sun from national flag. The text "JFA" (for the Japan Football Association) is inscribed at the bottom of the crow. A red stripe is also present at the center of the shield behind the crow. The shield has a metallic gold trim and has a thicker black outline. The name of the country represented by the national team "Japan" is also inscribed within the black border.

The previous crest used from 1996 had a shield with a more complex shape. The ball held by the Yatagarasu had white details. The text "Japan" is absent and "JFA" is written in a different typeface.

Before 1988, Japan used the national flag outlined in red (and with JFA written in black on the lower left corner of the flag) on the shirts.

The Yatagarasu was first seen on the Japan shirts in 1988, where it was on a yellow circle with a blue outline with "JAPAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION" written around it. In 1991, the emblem changed to a white shield with a red vertical stripe on the center with the crow on it and "JFA" written in a green Gothic typeface. This crest was used until 1996.

Home stadium

Main article: List of football stadiums in Japan

Japan plays its home matches among various stadiums, in rotation, around the country, especially the Saitama Stadium 2002.

Rivalries

South Korea

Main article: Japan–South Korea football rivalry

Japan maintains a strong football rivalry with South Korea. Japan have met South Korea 80 times, trailing the statistic at 17 wins, 23 draws, and 42 losses, while scoring 74 goals and conceding 124. Since November 1991, when the Japan Professional Football League was launched, the record is even with 10 wins, 12 draws and 10 losses. Both countries have made themselves unrivalled in both Asian Cup and World Cup records, being two of the most successful Asian football teams, and they hosted the 2002 World Cup in a joint bid.

North Korea

Japan maintains a rivalry with North Korea, although the rivalry is infrequent due to political circumstances. Japan have met North Korea 22 times, with a record of 10 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses.

China

Main article: China–Japan football rivalry

Previously, when Japan had not established professional football, Japan had only 4 wins, 3 draws and 13 losses against China. However, Japan's establishment of professional football helped turn the tide, and the Japanese have been able to exert domination with 16 wins, 6 draws and just 2 losses. China has not beaten Japan since March 1998, and lost to them 3–1 in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup final.

Australia

Main article: Australia–Japan football rivalry

Japan began to develop a fierce rivalry with fellow Asian powerhouse Australia, shortly after the latter joined the Asian Football Confederation. The rivalry is regarded as one of Asia's biggest football rivalries. The rivalry is a relatively recent one, born from a number of highly competitive matches between the two teams since Australia joined the AFC in 2006. The rivalry began at the 2006 World Cup where the two countries were grouped together, and continued with the two countries meeting regularly in various AFC competitions, such as the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, the 2011 AFC Asian Cup Final and the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup.

Japan have met Australia 28 times, with a record of 11 wins, 10 draws and 7 losses.

Saudi Arabia

Japan and Saudi Arabia are two of the most historically successful national teams in Asia and have frequently met each other in many major tournaments, including in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualification. The frequency is also rivalled by high-level performances of Japan and Saudi Arabia in the Asian and global football stage, as they are two of the three AFC members (alongside Australia) to reach the final of any senior FIFA competition. Both countries also gained headlines for producing "unexpected" wins in the 2022 World Cup, with Japan earning wins against Germany and Spain and Saudi Arabia against eventual champions Argentina in the group stage. These wins over World Cup-winning oppositions have allowed comparisons of developments between Japan and Saudi Arabia to emerge.

In the head-to-head record, Japan have an advantage over the Saudis with 12 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses.

Iran

Japan and Iran have a combined seven Asian Cup titles, with a rivalry developing in the 1990s due to the famous "Joy of Johor Bahru" that gave Japan a ticket to their first World Cup defeating the Persians by 3–2 in a neutral Asian play-off hosted in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

More recently, the two countries met in the 2019 and 2023 Asian Cups. The Samurai Blue defeated Team Melli 3–0 in the semifinals of the 2019 edition. The Iranians got revenge four years later eliminating Japan 2–1 in the quarter-finals.

Japan have met Iran 19 times, with a record of 6 wins, 6 draws and 7 losses.

Supporters

Japanese national team supporters are known for chanting "Nippon Ole" (Nippon is the Japanese word for Japan) at home matches.

Sponsorship

Japan has one of the highest sponsorship incomes for a national squad. In 2006 their sponsorship income amounted to over 16.5 million pounds.

Primary sponsors include Adidas, ANA, Kirin, Saison Card International, Toyo Tires, Mitsui Fudosan, MS&AD Insurance Group, Yomiuri Shimbun, Mizuho Financial, APA Group, Toyota and au.

Mascot

The mascots are "Karappe" (カラッペ) and "Karara" (カララ), two Yatagarasu wearing the Japan national football team kit. The mascots were designed by Japanese manga artist Susumu Matsushita. Each year when a new kit is launched, the mascots' uniforms are updated in order to match the kit being used by the team.

For the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Pokémon character Pikachu served as the mascot.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Japan national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

;Legend

2025

  • Kamada
  • Kubo
  • Behich
  • Kamada
  • Kubo
  • Morishita
  • Machino
  • Hosoya
  • Germain
  • Inagaki
  • Nakamura
  • Orr
  • Hosoya
  • Mochizuki
  • Germain
  • Zendejas
  • Balogun
  • Ogawa
  • Ueda
  • Almirón
  • D. Gómez
  • Minamino
  • Nakamura
  • Ueda
  • Paulo Henrique
  • Martinelli
  • Minamino
  • Dōan
  • Kamada
  • Machino
  • Nakamura
  • Fixtures and Results (2025) – JFA.jp

2026

Coaching staff

Current staff

Hajime Moriyasu, current manager of Japan
RoleName
ManagerJPN Hajime Moriyasu
Assistant coachesJPN Makoto Hasebe
JPN Ryoichi Maeda
JPN Hiroshi Nanami
JPN Toshihide Saito
Goalkeeping coachJPN Takashi Shimoda
Fitness coachJPN Ryoichi Matsumoto

Manager history

Current squad

The following players were called up for the Kirin Challenge Cup against Ghana and Bolivia on 14 and 18 November 2025, respectively.

Caps and goals as of 18 November 2025, after the match against Bolivia.

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the squad within the last 12 months.

INJ Withdrew due to injury

PRE Preliminary squad / standby

RET Retired from the national team

SUS Serving suspension

WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Records

Main article: Japan national football team records and statistics

RankPlayerCapsGoalsPosCareerRef.
1Yasuhito Endō15215MF2002–2015
2Yūto Nagatomo1444DF2008–present
3Maya Yoshida12612DF2010–2022
4Masami Ihara1225DF1988–1999
5Shinji Okazaki11950FW2008–2019title=FW Okazaki Shinjiwebsite=JFAaccess-date=26 November 2024url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/samuraiblue/member/okazaki_shinji.html}}
6Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi1160GK1997–2010
7Makoto Hasebe1142MF2006–2018
8Yuji Nakazawa11017DF1999–2010
9Keisuke Honda9837MF2008–2018title=MF Honda Keisukewebsite=JFAaccess-date=26 November 2024url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/samuraiblue/member/honda_keisuke.html}}
Shunsuke Nakamura9824MF2000–2010

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareerRef.
1Kunishige Kamamoto (list)75761964–1977
2Kazuyoshi Miura55891990–2000
3Shinji Okazaki501192008–2019
4Hiromi Hara37751978–1988
Keisuke Honda37982008–2018
6Shinji Kagawa31972008–2019
7Takuya Takagi27441992–1997
8Kazushi Kimura26541979–1986
9Takumi Minamino26732015–present
10Yuya Osako25572013–2022

Captains

PlayerPos.PeriodNote
Shigeo YaegashiMF1968Summer Olympics bronze medalist leading captain (1968)
Aritatsu OgiMF1969–1974
Kunishige KamamotoFW1975–1977
Nobuo FujishimaMF1978
Hiroshi OchiaiMF DF1978–1979
Hideki MaedaMF1980–1981
Mitsuhisa TaguchiGK1982–1984
Kazushi KimuraMF1986
Hisashi KatoDF1985–1987
Hiromi HaraFW1988
Shigetatsu MatsunagaGK1989
Shinichi Morishita1990
Tetsuji HashirataniMF1991–1995AFC Asian Cup winning captain (1992)
Masami IharaDF1996–1999
Masashi NakayamaFW2001FIFA Confederations Cup runners-up leading captain (2001)
Ryuzo MoriokaCB2000–2002AFC Asian Cup winning captain (2000)
Hidetoshi NakataCM2002–2004
Tsuneyasu MiyamotoCB2003–2006AFC Asian Cup winning captain (2004), East Asian Football Championship runners-up leading captain (2003) (2005)
Yoshikatsu KawaguchiGK2006–2008East Asian Football Championship runners-up leading captain (2008)
Yuji NakazawaCB2008–2010East Asian Football Championship third place leading captain (2010)
Makoto HasebeDM2010–2018AFC Asian Cup winning captain (2011)
Yuichi KomanoDF2013EAFF East Asian Cup winning captain (2013)
Gen ShojiCB2017EAFF E-1 Championship runners-up leading captain (2017)
Maya YoshidaCB2018–2022AFC Asian Cup runners-up leading captain (2019)
Sho SasakiLB2019EAFF E-1 Championship runners-up leading captain (2019)
Shōgo TaniguchiCB2022EAFF E-1 Championship winning captain (2022)
Wataru EndoDM2023–present

Competitive record

Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place

:*Denotes draws includes knockout matches decided on penalty shootouts. Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicate 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament.

FIFA World Cup

Main article: Japan at the FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordQualification recordYearResultPositionPldWDLGFGASquadPldWDLGFGATotalRound of 168/23257612253315496292935994
URU 1930WithdrewQualified as invitees
ITA 1934Did not enterDid not enter
FRA 1938WithdrewWithdrew
BRA 1950Suspended from FIFASuspended from FIFA
SUI 1954Did not qualify20
SWE 1958Did not enterDid not enter
CHI 1962Did not qualify20
ENG 1966Did not enterDid not enter
MEX 1970Did not qualify40
FRG 1974410
ARG 1978401
ESP 1982420
MEX 1986851
ITA 1990623
USA 19941393
FRA 1998Group stage31st3
KOR JPN 2002Round of 169th4
GER 2006Group stage28th3
RSA 2010Round of 169th4
BRA 2014Group stage29th3
RUS 2018Round of 1615th4
QAT 20229th42
CAN MEX USA 2026Qualified1613
ESP POR MAR 2030To be determinedTo be determined
KSA 2034

Match history

FIFA World Cup historyYearRoundOpponentScoreResult
1998Group stage0–1Loss
0–1Loss
1–2Loss
2002Group stage2–2Draw
1–0Win
2–0Win
Round of 160–1Loss
2006Group stage1–3Loss
0–0Draw
1–4Loss
2010Group stage1–0Win
0–1Loss
3–1Win
Round of 160–0Draw (Loss)
2014Group stage1–2Loss
0–0Draw
1–4Loss
2018Group stage2–1Win
2–2Draw
0–1Loss
Round of 162–3Loss
2022Group stage2–1Win
0–1Loss
2–1Win
Round of 161–1Draw (Loss)

AFC Asian Cup

Main article: Japan at the AFC Asian Cup

[](afc-asian-cup) record[](afc-asian-cup-qualifiers) recordYearResultPositionPldWDLGFGASquadPldWDLGFGATotal4 Titles11/1953331281045250414516219
British Hong Kong 1956WithdrewWithdrew
KOR 1960
ISR 1964
IRI 1968Did not qualify43
THA 1972WithdrewWithdrew
IRI 1976Did not qualify52
KUW 1980WithdrewWithdrew
SIN 1984
QAT 1988Group stage10th4
JPN 1992Champions 1st5
UAE 1996Quarter-finals5th4
LBN 2000Champions1st6
CHN 2004Champions1st6
IDN MAS THA VIE 2007Semi Final4th6
QAT 2011Champions1st6
AUS 2015Quarter-finals5th4
UAE 2019Runners-up2nd7
QAT 2023Quarter-finals7th5
KSA 2027Qualified66

Match history

AFC Asian Cup historyYearRoundOpponentScoreResult
1988Group stage0–0Draw
0–2Loss
0–1Loss
0–3Loss
1992Group stage0–0Draw
1–1Draw
1–0Win
Semi-finals3–2Win
Final1–0Win
1996Group stage2–1Win
4–0Win
1–0Win
Quarter-finals0–2Loss
2000Group stage4–1Win
8–1Win
1–1Draw
Quarter-finals4–1Win
Semi-finals3–2Win
Final1–0Win
2004Group stage1–0Win
4–1Win
0–0Draw
Quarter-finals1–1Draw (Win)
Semi-finals4–3Win
Final3–1Win
2007Group stage1–1Draw
3–1Win
4–1Win
Quarter-finals1–1Draw (Win)
Semi-finals2–3Loss
Third place play-off0–0Draw (Loss)
2011Group stage1–1Draw
2–1Win
5–0Win
Quarter-finals3–2Win
Semi-finals2–2Draw (Win)
Final1–0Win
2015Group stage4–0Win
1–0Win
2–0Win
Quarter-finals1–1Draw (Loss)
2019Group stage3–2Win
1–0Win
2–1Win
Round of 161–0Win
Quarter-finals1–0Win
Semi-finals3–0Win
Final1–3Loss
2023Group stage4–2Win
1–2Loss
3–1Win
Round of 163–1Win
Quarter-finals1–2Loss

Copa América

Main article: Japan at the Copa América

Japan was the first team from outside the Americas to participate in the Copa América, having been invited to the 1999 tournament. Japan was also invited in 2011 and initially accepted the invitation. However, following the Tōhoku earthquake, the JFA later withdrew on 16 May 2011, citing the difficulty of releasing some Japanese players from European teams to play as replacements. On the next day, CONMEBOL invited Costa Rica to replace Japan in the competition.

On 16 August 2013, CONMEBOL president Eugenio Figueredo announced that Japan was invited to the 2015 Copa América. However, Japan later declined the invitation due to scheduling problems.

On 14 May 2018, CONMEBOL announced that Japan, alongside Qatar, would be the two invited teams for the 2019 Copa América.

Copa América recordYearResultPositionPldWDLGFGASquadTotalGroup stage2/46033615
Paraguay 1999Group stage10th301238Squad
Argentina 2011Withdrew
Chile 2015
Brazil 2019Group stage9th302137Squad

Match history

CONMEBOL Copa América historyYearRoundOpponentScoreResultStadium
1999Group stage2–3LossEstadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
0–4Loss
1–1DrawMonumental Rio Parapiti, Pedro Juan Caballero
2019Group stage0–4LossEstádio do Morumbi, São Paulo
2–2DrawArena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre
1–1DrawEstádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte

FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup recordyearResultPositionPldWDLGFGASquadTotalRunners-up5/10165291925
Saudi Arabia 1992Did not qualify
Saudi Arabia 1995Group stage6th200218Squad
Saudi Arabia 1997Did not qualify
Mexico 1999
South Korea Japan 2001Runners-up2nd531161Squad
France 2003Group stage6th310243Squad
Germany 2005Group stage5th311144Squad
South Africa 2009Did not qualify
Brazil 2013Group stage7th300349Squad
Russia 2017Did not qualify

Match history

FIFA Confederations Cup historyYearRoundOpponentScoreResult
1995Group stage0–3Loss
1–5Loss
2001Group stage3–0Win
2–0Win
0–0Draw
Semi-finals1–0Win
Final0–1Loss
2003Group stage3–0Win
1–2Loss
0–1Loss
2005Group stage1–2Loss
1–0Win
2–2Draw
2013Group stage0–3Loss
3–4Loss
1–2Loss

Olympic Games

Main article: Japan at the Olympics

Summer Olympics recordQualification recordYearResultPositionMWDLGFGASquadMWDLGFGATotalBronze medalists4/17125261835402151411149
GBR 1908Did not enterDid not enter
SWE 1912
BEL 1920
FRA 1924
NED 1928
DEU 1936Quarter-finals8th2
GBR 1948Did not enterDid not enter
FIN 1952
AUS 1956First round10th1
ITA 1960Did not qualify21
JPN 1964Quarter-finals8th3
MEX 1968Bronze medalists3rd6
FRG 1972Did not qualify42
CAN 1976621
URS 1980531
USA 19841031
KOR 1988861
1992–presentSee Japan national under-23 teamSee Japan national under-23 team

Match history

Summer Olympics historyYearRoundOpponentScoreResult
1936First round3–2Win
Quarter-finals0–8Loss
1956First round0–2Loss
1964Group stage3–2Win
2–3Loss
Quarter-finals0–4Loss
1968Group stage3–1Win
1–1Draw
0–0Draw
Quarter-finals3–1Win
Semi-finals0–5Loss
Bronze play-off2–0Win

Asian Games

Main article: Japan at the Asian Games

Asian Games recordYearResultPositionMWDLGFGASquadTotalThird place13/1350254218356
IND 1951Third place3rd
PHI 1954Group stage10th
JPN 195812th2
INA 19626th3
THA 1966Third place3rd
THA 1970Fourth place4th
IRI 1974Group stage9th
THA 19789th3
IND 1982Quarter-finals5th
KOR 1986Group stage9th
CHN 1990Quarter-finals8th
JPN 19947th4
THA 1998Group stage9th
2002–presentSee Japan national under-23 football team

Match history

Asian Games historyYearRoundOpponentScoreResult
1951Semi-finals0–0Draw
Replay match2–3Loss
Bronze play-off2–0Win
1954First round3–5Loss
2–3Loss
1958First round0–1Loss
0–2Loss
1962First round3–1Win
0–2Loss
0–1Loss
1966First round2–1Win
3–1Win
1–0Win
Second round5–1Win
5–1Win
Semi-finals0–1Loss
Bronze play-off2–0Win
1970First round1–0Win
1–0Win
2–1Win
Second round2–1Win
1–0Win
Semi-finals1–2Loss
Bronze play-off0–1Loss
1974First round4–0Win
1–1Draw
0–3Loss
1978First round0–2Loss
4–0Win
1–3Loss
1982First round1–0Win
3–1Win
2–1Win
Quarter-finals0–1Loss
1986First round5–0Win
0–2Loss
0–2Loss
4–0Win
1990First round3–0Win
0–2Loss
Quarter-finals0–1Loss
1994First round1–1Draw
1–1Draw
5–0Win
Quarter-finals2–3Loss
1998First round5–0Win
1–0Win
Second round0–2Loss
2–1Win
0–1Loss

EAFF E-1 Championship

EAFF E-1 Championship recordYearResultPositionPldWDLGFGASquadTotalChampions10/103016955326
Japan 2003Runners-up2nd321030Squad
KOR 2005311133Squad
China 2008312032Squad
Japan 2010Third Place3rd311143Squad
KOR 2013Champions1st321086Squad
China 2015Fourth Place4th302134Squad
Japan 2017Runners-up2nd320145Squad
KOR 2019320172Squad
Japan 2022Champions1st321090Squad
KOR 2025Champions1st330091Squad

Match history

EAFF E-1 Championship historyYearRoundOpponentScoreResult
2003First match2–0Win
Second match1–0
Third match0–0Draw
2005First match0–1Loss
Second match2–2Draw
Third match1–0Win
2008First match1–1Draw
Second match1–0Win
Third match1–1Draw
2010First match0–0Draw
Second match3–0Win
Third match1–3Loss
2013First match3–3Draw
Second match3–2Win
Third match2–1Win
2015First match1–2Loss
Second match1–1Draw
Third match1–1Draw
2017First match1–0Win
Second match2–1
Third match1–4Loss
2019First match2–1Win
Second match5–0
Third match0–1Loss
2022First match6–0Win
Second match0–0Draw
Third match3–0Win
2025First match6–1Win
Second match2–0Win
Third match1–0Win

Head-to-head record

Main article: Japan national football team records and statistics#Head-to-head record

:The following table shows Japan's all-time international record, correct as of 18 November 2025.

OpponentConfederationFromToPldWDLGFGAGD
AFC195120153300130+13
CAF20052005110010+1
CONMEBOL198820108107416−12
AFC1956202529111074032+8
UEFA200720071010000
UEFA20122012110020+2
AFC197820251411122811+17
AFC197519935500221+21
UEFA20132013100101−1
UEFA199920186222118+3
CONMEBOL19992025431071+6
UEFA20062016311164+2
CONMEBOL19892025141211837−29
AFC198020004400291+28
UEFA1976201661141013−3
AFC196420154400100+10
CAF20012020633050+5
CONCACAF200120234301104+6
CONMEOL200820193111440
AFC1917202537198105842+16
AFC196319837601247+17
CONMEBOL20032023611449−5
CONCACAF199520225311103+7
UEFA199720224121550
UEFA20142014110010+1
UEFA19982011312010+1
UEFA19712010210154+1
CONMEBOL19952022422051+4
CAF19982007220051+4
CONCACAF20192023220080+8
UEFA19952010301235−2
UEFA20062009220071+6
UEFA196820126114514−9
UEFA20042023421187+1
CAF1994202586021811+7
UEFA20052014211010+1
CONCACAF20102013220051+4
CONCACAF201720171010330
CONCACAF200220143210147+7
AFC195820252817656518+47
UEFA19932004200224−2
UEFA19712012430194+5
AFC195420061811164119+22
AFC195420251811254624+22
AFC19512024196672221+1
AFC19782024137331910+9
UEFA197319775005110−9
UEFA20012013201145−1
CAF199320205302440
CONCACAF19982014421173+4
AFC198820156231125+7
UEFA199720053210102+8
AFC19781998510428−6
AFC201820213300111+10
UEFA20052013211052+3
AFC198020005500450+45
AFC19582004351311115655+1
CAF201820181010110
UEFA20062006110010+1
CONCACAF19962025611459−4
AFC194220215500710+71
UEFA20072007110020+2
AFC199420245500270+27
AFC198619984400190+19
UEFA20092013301226−4
OFC19812017430194+5
CAF199520032101330
AFC197520242210482316+7
UEFA20022002100103−3
AFC19882021141031215+16
AFC19601988311165+1
AFC20152015110040+4
CONCACAF20182020220040+4
CONMEBOL19952025125521712+5
CONMEBOL19992023622285+3
AFC191719741380533330
UEFA19962018320171+6
AFC19822019103431213−1
UEFA197420034013312−9
UEFA20022002110010+1
AFC198220251912262917+12
UEFA19952009312020+2
CAF19872018402247−3
UEFA20102021310215−4
AFC195920152823236721+46
UEFA20002004321052+3
CAF200920091010000
AFC195420258117234277124−47
UEFA200120222101220
AFC197219933300160+16
UEFA199520023030440
UEFA19932018311156−1
AFC19782024131120379+28
AFC201120214400191+18
AFC196020242819637023+47
CAF20092009110050+5
CONCACAF20062019211020+2
CAF19962023650183+5
UEFA19972023320153+2
AFC20192019110032+1
UEFA20022018310223−1
AFC19812017206952218+4
CONCACAF19932025420276+1
CONMEBOL1985202392341824−6
AFC19962019117313010+20
CONMEBOL201020195131660
AFC200720246510124+8
UEFA19921992100101−1
AFC20062010440083+5
CAF20142014110043+1

Honours

Global

  • FIFA Confederations Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 2001
  • Olympic Games
    • Bronze medal (1): 1968

Intercontinental

  • Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
  • AFC–OFC Challenge Cup
    • Champions (1): 2001

Continental

  • AFC Asian Cup
  • Asian Games****1
    • Bronze medal (2): 1951, 1966

Regional

  • Far Eastern Games
    • Gold medal (1): 1930
  • EAFF East Asian Cup / EAFF E-1 Football Championship

Friendly

  • Kirin Cup (12): 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015
  • Dynasty Cup (3): 1992, 1995, 1998
  • Bangabandhu Cup (1): 1999

Awards

  • FIFA Confederations Cup Fair Play Award (2): 2001, 2003
  • AFC National Team of the Year (6): 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011
  • AFC Asian Cup Fair Play Award (2): 2007, 2019
  • EAFF Championship Fair Play Award (1): 2005
  • Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (1): 2002

Summary

Only official honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

CompetitionTotalTotal72110
FIFA Confederations Cup0101
Olympic Games0011
AFC Asian Cup4105
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations2002
AFC–OFC Challenge Cup1001

;Notes:

  1. Competition organized by OCA, officially not recognized by FIFA.

Notes

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  130. "MF Honda Keisuke".
  131. "MF Kagawa Shinji".
  132. "MF/FW Minamino Takumi".
  133. "MF/FW Osako Yuya".
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