Japan World Cup 2026 Tickets

In recent years, Japan have established themselves as one of Asia’s most solid powers and they approach 2026 with the feeling that they can take another step forward. The Samurai Blue, once again coached by Hajime Moriyasu, combine well-drilled tactical organisation with quick, technical football, built around players who shine in Europe’s top leagues. After a very convincing qualifying campaign, in which they secured their World Cup ticket early, the general perception is that this is a reliable, intense team, perfect for fans who want to experience high-tempo matches live.

Since their World Cup debut in 1998, Japan have not missed a single edition and 2026 will be their eighth consecutive appearance. Their best results came in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022, when they reached the Round of 16, with memorable moments like their historic run in Qatar, where they defeated European powerhouses before losing on penalties. This trajectory reflects constant progress: from emerging nation to regular Asian representative in the knockout rounds, always competitive and hard to beat.

On an individual level, Japan’s recent history has been shaped by names like Hidetoshi Nakata, a pioneer in Europe and symbol of the first great Japanese generation, or Keisuke Honda, the first player from the country to score in three different World Cups. The new wave is led by talents such as Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma, creative, direct and tactically intelligent attackers, supported by a disciplined and hard-working core. This balance between legends and current leaders keeps the Samurai Blue’s identity alive: collective effort, competitive spirit and the conviction of always playing with honour and heart.

According to many analysts, Japan arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a very serious candidate to fight for qualification from a demanding group and, why not, to break their historical ceiling. The draw has placed them in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia and the winner of European Play-off B, a group with very different styles that will force the Samurai Blue to show their best version from the first game. With the Netherlands as the theoretical favourites, Japan appear as the big alternative in the group, backed by their recent growth and the ambition shown by both the federation and the dressing room.

• Netherlands, a European powerhouse with attacking football and plenty of quality, expected to set the pace in the group from matchday one.
• Tunisia, an intense African side, very strong at the back, whose threat is based on defensive solidity and a physical, organised style of play.
• Winner of European Play-off B, a European team still to be defined, who will arrive match-fit after a demanding play-off and with little to lose against the favourites.

For Japan, the minimum objective in this Group F is to secure a place in the knockouts, ideally without suffering on the final matchday and staying firmly in the fight for the top two spots. If they manage to impose their high tempo, make the most of their attackers’ creativity and maintain the defensive solidity shown in recent years, the Samurai Blue want to reach the knockout rounds with confidence and the feeling that they are ready to go beyond the Round of 16 for the first time.