Samurai Blue Eye Historic Breakthrough in 2026 World Cup

Jun 06, 2026 | News On Japan

Monterrey, Jun 06, 2026 - Expectations for Japan are unusually high heading into the 2026 World Cup, with the team now aiming not merely to reach the knockout stage but to finally break through the Round of 16 and advance to the quarterfinals for the first time.

Japan are in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden, opening against the Netherlands on June 14 before facing Tunisia on June 20 and Sweden on June 25. They are ranked 18th, while the Netherlands are ranked 7th, Tunisia 44th and Sweden 38th, making the group difficult but very manageable for a Japanese side now seen as one of Asia’s strongest ever World Cup teams.

The optimism comes from Japan’s recent record against elite teams. Since the 2022 World Cup, where they beat Germany and Spain before losing to Croatia on penalties, Japan have added major wins over Brazil and England, strengthening belief that Hajime Moriyasu’s team can compete with the world’s best rather than simply cause occasional upsets.

The squad is also deeper than in previous tournaments. Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Wataru Endo, Zion Suzuki, Ayase Ueda and Hiroki Ito give Japan experience, technical quality and European-level competition across the pitch. Analysts expect Japan to use a flexible system, often a 3-4-2-1, with aggressive pressing from players such as Kubo, Doan, Keito Nakamura and Junya Ito.

The main concern is whether Japan can turn control and movement into enough goals against physically strong opponents. Injuries to Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino are also significant, although Japan’s depth means expectations have not collapsed.

In preview terms, the fair expectation is this: Japan should be aiming to qualify from the group, probably battling Sweden for second place if the Netherlands top the section, but they have enough quality to challenge for first if they start well. Anything less than the knockout stage would be a disappointment. Reaching the quarterfinals would be a historic success, while a deeper run is no longer treated as fantasy.

Source: Al Jazeera English

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Japan Ends Asian Games With Record 83 Golds and 269 Medals

Japan brought the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games to a close on October 4 with a record 83 gold medals and 269 medals overall, finishing second behind China after 16 days of competition that produced historic victories in swimming, athletics, judo, wrestling, softball and other sports, while a closing ceremony in Nagoya marked the end of the first Asian Games held in Japan in 32 years.

Japan Beats New Zealand to Win Kirin Cup

Japan defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the Kirin Cup final at MUFG Stadium, formerly the National Stadium, in Tokyo on October 5, securing the title in what was head coach Hajime Moriyasu's final home match before stepping down.

Japan's Imperial Family Watches Equestrian Event in Tokyo

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko attended the Asian Games individual show jumping competition at the Equestrian Park in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on October 3, with the princess showing particular interest in how horses manage to clear high obstacles.

Asian Games Day 11: Japan Reaches 200 Medals as Judo Siblings Strike Gold

Japan passed the 200-medal mark at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on September 30, with siblings Mitsuki and Hayato Kondo winning judo gold medals within half an hour of each other, Ami Ishii and Taizo Yoshida taking wrestling titles, Sorato Anraku defending his sport climbing crown, and the men's soccer team surviving a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the final.

Asian Games Day 11: Japan Wins 4x400m Relay Gold

Japan captured the men's 4x400-meter relay gold medal in driving rain on September 29, clocking 3 minutes, 0.75 seconds to win the Asian Games title for the first time in 12 years as the athletics program came to a dramatic conclusion at Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya.

Asian Games Day 10: Miura Leads Japan One-Two in 3,000m Steeplechase

Ryuji Miura led a Japanese one-two finish in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase on September 28, winning gold in a Games record of 8 minutes, 17.36 seconds as Ryoma Aoki surged late to take silver in 8:17.60 at Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya.

Onosato Wins Autumn Grand Sumo in Dramatic Showdown

Yokozuna Onosato captured his sixth career championship at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on September 27, defeating Ukrainian ozeki Aonishiki in a winner-takes-all showdown at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan to finish the 15-day competition with 12 wins and three losses, ending a year-long title drought after a dramatic final weekend.

Asian Games Day 9: Japan Takes Silver in Table Tennis and Artistic Swimming

Japan's Asian Games campaign continued on September 27 with silver medals in men's table tennis doubles and artistic swimming, while the men's baseball team faced South Korea in the gold-medal final and the athletics program entered one of its busiest evenings.

< 2 3 4 5 >