JapanGroup F · AFC · FIFA #18 · Elo 1906
📅 Group F: vs Netherlands · Sweden · Tunisia
Japan arrive at the 2026 World Cup as Asia's most feared side, buoyed by a golden generation of European-based stars headlined by Kaishu Sano and Ayase Ueda, aiming to go beyond the Round of 16 for the first time — though notable absences of Mitoma and Minamino through injury add weight to every selection decision. Stats convention: goals_last_season/assists_last_season/apps_last_season = 2025-26 primary league only (Bundesliga, PL, Ligue 1, Eredivisie, Pro League); for J-League players = completed 2025 J1 season (Jan–Dec 2025).
Yuto Nagatomo (39) becomes the first Asian player in history to appear at five FIFA World Cups.
Ayase Ueda scored 25 Eredivisie goals in 2025-26, making him one of the league's top scorers and cementing him as Japan's most potent striker.
Tomoki Hayakawa won the 2025 J.League MVP — the first goalkeeper to win the award in 15 years — after playing every minute of Kashima Antlers' title-winning season.
Japan were the first country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, sealing it with a 2-0 win over Bahrain through goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo.
Kaishu Sano (Mainz) has a market value of €40m, making him the highest-valued Japanese player at the tournament; the 25-year-old was relatively unknown in Europe just two seasons ago.
Japan's first World Cup dream died in the 1993 'Agony of Doha', when Iraq equalised in the final seconds of the last qualifier — fittingly, the same city later hosted their famous 2022 wins over Germany and Spain.
After their last-gasp defeat to Belgium at Russia 2018, Japan's players left their dressing room spotless with a 'thank you' note written in Russian — FIFA staff photographed it and the gesture went viral worldwide.
The big number is the player's EA FC 26 (FIFA 26) overall rating; for players not in the game it's estimated from market value & role.
Tip: click any player for full details, or “✨ Get to know Japan” up top for trivia & the anthem. OVR = EA FC 26 (FIFA 26) rating; for players not in the game it's estimated from market value.
Netherlands
Tunisia
Sweden