World Cup 2026

Japan

Blue Samurai: Japan's Golden Generation Ready to Rewrite History

Out at the Round of 32FIFA #18Group F — Netherlands · Sweden · Tunisia

FutAve take

The Story

Ranked 18th in the world and armed with a Bundesliga-hardened core, Japan enter Group F not as plucky underdogs but as genuine knockout-round contenders. With Ko Itakura wearing the captain's armband and a press-heavy system that has dismantled bigger reputations, the Blue Samurai arrive hungry to end a painful knockout curse.

How they qualified

Japan didn't just qualify — they dominated. Finishing top of AFC Group C with 23 points, a +27 goal difference, and seven wins from ten, they became the first non-host nation confirmed for the 2026 tournament. The campaign was a statement of intent: clinical, defensively resolute, and relentless in attack. The mood? Expectant, not grateful.

Why watch

Few teams combine European club pedigree with a unified, high-octane tactical identity like Japan. Their suffocating press and rapid transitions make every match a spectacle. Facing Netherlands, Sweden, and potentially Brazil, the bracket is brutal — which means every minute carries genuine drama for neutral fans craving edge-of-seat football.

Squad spotlight

Players to Know

The Star

Takefusa Kubo

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad's creative heartbeat, Takefusa Kubo is Japan's most electrifying ball-carrier and the player opponents fear most in tight spaces.

Why they matter

Kubo is the focal point of Japan's attacking identity — a dribbler who can unlock any defensive structure and create moments of brilliance that change the texture of a match entirely. In Group F's biggest tests, his ability to beat a man could be the difference between glory and elimination.

Watch for

Track his movement in half-spaces and how he drags defenders out of shape to open channels for runners. When Japan need a goal against the Dutch or Sweden, the ball will find Kubo.

The X-Factor

Ritsu Doan

Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt's Ritsu Doan is a relentless winger whose power, pace, and big-game temperament make him Japan's most dangerous second-line threat.

Why they matter

Doan has the physical tools to exploit space on the break and the composure to finish in high-pressure moments. Against Netherlands and Tunisia, his directness from wide positions gives Japan an unpredictable cutting edge that complements Kubo's creativity.

Watch for

Watch how Doan attacks in transition — he thrives when Japan win the ball high and immediately go vertical. His runs in behind a backline trying to stay compact against the press are genuinely dangerous.

The Glue Guy

Ko Itakura

Ajax

Ajax's Ko Itakura steps into the captaincy and anchors a back line that conceded just three goals across the entire qualifying campaign.

Why they matter

With Itakura wearing the armband, leadership and defensive structure are unified in one player. His composure under pressure and reading of the game are the invisible engine behind Japan's remarkably stingy defensive record — a foundation any deep tournament run is built on.

Watch for

Notice how Itakura organises the defensive line against Netherlands' forward movement — his positioning in duels and ability to step out and intercept without leaving gaps behind him is a masterclass in modern centre-back play.

The FutAve Watch

Ao Tanaka

Leeds United

Leeds United's Ao Tanaka is the engine room Japan's press cannot function without — aggressive, intelligent, and perpetually underrated on the world stage.

Why they matter

Tanaka does the relentless, unglamorous work that makes Japan's high press sustainable for ninety minutes. He wins the ball, recycles possession with precision, and allows the creative players around him to take risks — without him, the system loses its teeth.

Watch for

Count his ball recoveries in the middle third and how quickly Japan transition from those moments. Tanaka's timing in the press triggers the whole machine — he is the player to watch if you want to understand how Japan actually work.

The Breakout Candidate

Shuto Machino

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Borussia Mönchengladbach's Shuto Machino stepped into the squad after the captain's withdrawal and arrives on the World Cup stage with something to prove.

Why they matter

Called upon to fill a significant void, Machino carries the pressure of expectation with the freedom of someone the world hasn't fully scouted yet. His physical presence and movement in the box give Japan a different attacking dimension — one that could catch Group F opponents unprepared.

Watch for

Watch how Machino occupies centre-backs in the penalty area and creates space for Japan's wide runners. If the Blue Samurai go deep in this tournament, a breakout centre-forward performance from him could be the storyline of the competition.

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