Group F · Mon, 6/15, 04:00Scheduled
Netherlands
Netherlands
VS
Japan
Japan
Dallas (Arlington) · AT&T Stadium
🇯🇵 Japan
Japan — Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Japan · Group F · 26 players
Head coach
- Name
- 森康治森康治
- Nationality
- 日本
Team intel
Source: WC26 MCP (third-party aggregation; odds/injuries for entertainment only)
FIFA ranking
#19
World Cup history
- Appearances: 7
- Best result: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2022)
- Titles: 0
Playing style
Tactically astute with rapid transitions, high pressing, and disciplined defensive structure. Known for upsetting favorites.
Qualifying summary
Qualified through AFC qualifiers, topping their group with a strong unbeaten run.
Key players (WC26 picks)
- Takefusa KuboFWD · Real Sociedad
- Wataru EndoMID · Liverpool
- Kaoru MitomaFWD · Brighton
Odds & group outlook
To win tournament: +6000(implied 1.6%)
Dark horse angle: Tactical discipline, squad depth across European top leagues, and a proven ability to upset favorites (Germany 2022, Spain 2022).
Netherlands' total football philosophy is tested by Japan's tactical discipline and proven ability to upset favorites.
Group favorites: Netherlands, Japan · Dark horse: Japan
World Cup head-to-head
- vs Netherlands1W 0D 0L (1 matches)
The Netherlands edged Japan 1-0 in their only World Cup meeting during the 2010 group stage in South Africa.
- vs Tunisia0W 0D 1L (1 matches)
Japan beat Tunisia 2-0 in the 2002 group stage on home soil in Osaka, securing their first-ever World Cup knockout round berth.
Source：API-Football (api-sports.io)，Updated 2026-06-05. Age/caps not provided by source. Confirm with national FA or FIFA before kickoff.
World Cup squad
26 players
Goalkeepers
| # | Player | Pos | Age | Club | National team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zion Suzuki | GK | 23 | St. Truiden | — |
| 12 | Keisuke Osako | GK | 26 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | — |
| 23 | Tomoki Hayakawa | GK | 26 | Kashima | — |
Defenders
| # | Player | Pos | Age | Club | National team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Yukinari Sugawara | DEF | 25 | AZ Alkmaar | — |
| 3 | Shogo Taniguchi | DEF | 34 | St. Truiden | — |
| 4 | Ko Itakura | DEF | 28 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | — |
| 5 | Yuto Nagatomo | DEF | 39 | FC Tokyo | — |
| 16 | Tsuyoshi Watanabe | DEF | 28 | Gent | — |
| 20 | Ayumu Seko | DEF | 25 | Grasshoppers | — |
| 21 | Hiroki Ito | DEF | 26 | Bayern München | — |
| 22 | Takehiro Tomiyasu | DEF | 27 | Arsenal | — |
| 25 | Junnosuke Suzuki | DEF | 22 | Shonan Bellmare | — |
Midfielders
| # | Player | Pos | Age | Club | National team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wataru Endo | MID | 32 | Liverpool | — |
| 7 | Ao Tanaka | MID | 27 | Leeds | — |
| 8 | Takefusa Kubo | MID | 24 | Real Sociedad | — |
| 10 | Ritsu Dōan | MID | 27 | SC Freiburg | — |
| 11 | Daizen Maeda | MID | 28 | Celtic | — |
| 13 | Keito Nakamura | MID | 25 | Reims | — |
| 14 | Junya Ito | MID | 32 | Reims | — |
| 15 | Daichi Kamada | MID | 29 | Crystal Palace | — |
| 17 | Yuito Suzuki | MID | 24 | Brondby | — |
| 24 | Kaishu Sano | MID | 25 | FSV Mainz 05 | — |
Forwards
| # | Player | Pos | Age | Club | National team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Keisuke Goto | FWD | 20 | Jubilo Iwata | — |
| 18 | Ayase Ueda | FWD | 27 | Feyenoord | — |
| 19 | Koki Ogawa | FWD | 28 | Yokohama FC | — |
| 26 | Kento Shiogai | FWD | 20 | NEC Nijmegen | — |
Click a player name for their profile. Squad compiled from public sources—confirm with official announcements.
Tournament schedule
Group F · Sun, 6/21, 12:00Scheduled
Tunisia
Tunisia
VS
Japan
Japan
Monterrey (Guadalupe) · Estadio BBVA
Group F · Fri, 6/26, 07:00Scheduled
Japan
Japan
VS
Sweden
Sweden
Dallas (Arlington) · AT&T Stadium
Data: squad from public sources · Confirm with official squads before kickoff