Japan reached the World Cup for the first time in 1998 and have qualified for every edition since. Their best World Cup performance is reaching the last 16, achieved in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022. Japan have beaten Germany, Brazil, England, and Spain since 2022, including a well-deserved 1-0 win over England at Wembley in March from a Kaoru Mitoma goal. They also beat Scotland in the same international window. In the last World Cup, Japan topped their group with wins over Spain and Germany and were eliminated in the last 16 by Croatia on penalties. Japan are first outside the hosts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with a talented mostly European-based squad, though Mitoma’s injury raises doubts about sustaining a long title run.
"Japan have beaten Germany, Brazil, England and Spain since 2022, but may struggle to sustain a genuine title push. Previous World Cup appearances: 7 Best performance: Last 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022) First appearance: 1998 (France) Top goal scorer: Keisuke Honda (4) Most appearances: Yuto Nagatomo (15) Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo FIFA world ranking: 18th Fixtures: Netherlands (June 14, Dallas, US), Tunisia (June 20, Monterrey, Mexico), Sweden (June 25, Dallas, US)"
"While they have never gotten past the last 16 even as cohosts in 2002 their current crop of players is surely the most talented in the national side's history. Japan were the first team outside the hosts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The Samurai Blue have beaten Germany, Brazil, England and Spain since 2022. While they can beat any team on their day, it is unclear whether they can sustain a genuine title push throughout a long tournament and they have been rocked by an injury to star player Kaoru Mitoma."
"It was only a friendly, and England have rarely beaten top sides recently, and Wembley can have an awfully flat vibe; but for all the caveats, Japan's recent win 1-0 there in March, courtesy of a Kaoru Mitoma goal was well deserved and sent a statement. It was only England coach Thomas Tuchel's second defeat in charge of England following a perfect qualification campaign. Japan also beat a tricky Scotland side in the same international window."
"In the last World Cup, Japan claimed famous wins over Spain and Germany in the group stage to top the standings, and were only stopped in the last 16 by Croatia on penalties. Japan are not a surprise package any more they have an elite, mostly European-based team. Japan fans at Wembley as their side beat England on March 31 [Isabel Infantes/Reuters] Japanese right-winger"
#japan-national-football-team #world-cup-qualification #international-friendlies #player-injuries #european-based-squad
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