Hajime Moriyasu’s Official Japan Squad For The 2026 FIFA World Cup
Japan officially announced its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup led by Takefusa Kubo and the historic Yuto Nagatomo.
Japan wants to surprise the world once again
The national team of Japan officially confirmed the 26 players who will represent the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where the Samurai Blue hopes to once again become one of the tournament’s biggest surprise teams.
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu will lead Japan for a second consecutive World Cup after the nation’s impressive performance at Qatar 2022, where Japan stunned several European giants and earned worldwide praise for its style of play. Now, led by stars such as Takefusa Kubo and Wataru Endo, Japan will attempt to take another major step forward on football’s biggest stage.
Japan will compete in Group F alongside Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden, opening the tournament against the Dutch on June 14 in Arlington, Texas.
Japan’s Official Squad For The 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers
Zion Suzuki — Parma (Serie A)
Keisuke Osako — Sanfrecce Hiroshima (J-League)
Tomoki Hayakawa — Kashima Antlers (J-League)
Defenders
Hiroki Ito — Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)
Ko Itakura — Ajax (Eredivisie)
Takehiro Tomiyasu — Ajax (Eredivisie)
Tsuyoshi Watanabe — Feyenoord (Eredivisie)
Yukinari Sugawara — Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)
Shogo Taniguchi — St. Truiden (Belgian Pro League)
Ayumu Seko — Le Havre (Ligue 1)
Junnosuke Suzuki — Copenhagen (Danish Superliga)
Yuto Nagatomo — FC Tokyo (J-League)
Midfielders
Wataru Endo — Liverpool (Premier League)
Kaishu Sano — Mainz 05 (Bundesliga)
Daichi Kamada — Crystal Palace (Premier League)
Ao Tanaka — Leeds United (Premier League)
Junya Ito — Genk (Belgian Pro League)
Takefusa Kubo — Real Sociedad (LaLiga)
Ritsu Doan — Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga)
Keito Nakamura — Stade de Reims (Ligue 1)
Yuito Suzuki — Freiburg (Bundesliga)
Forwards
Daizen Maeda — Celtic (Scottish Premiership)
Ayase Ueda — Feyenoord (Eredivisie)
Koki Ogawa — NEC Nijmegen (Eredivisie)
Keisuke Goto — St. Truiden (Belgian Pro League)
Kento Shiogai — Wolfsburg (Bundesliga)
Head Coach
Hajime Moriyasu
Player To Watch
The biggest star of this Japanese squad is undoubtedly Takefusa Kubo. The Real Sociedad playmaker arrives after another excellent season in Europe and will play in only his second FIFA World Cup after debuting at Qatar 2022.
With his creativity, dribbling ability, and explosiveness in the final third, Kubo represents Japan’s greatest attacking hope as the nation continues growing into one of the strongest football powers in Asia.
Yuto Nagatomo will make history for Japan
One of the most remarkable names in the squad is Yuto Nagatomo. At 39 years old, the legendary Japanese fullback will participate in his fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Japanese player in history to achieve that milestone.
The former Inter, Galatasaray, and Olympique de Marseille defender has not missed a World Cup since South Africa 2010 and will provide leadership and experience to a squad that perfectly blends youth with proven European-based talent.
Everything you need to know about Japan's National Team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Japan dreams of another historic World Cup run
Despite the important injury absences of Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, and Hidemasa Morita, Japan enters the 2026 World Cup with one of the most talented generations in its history and several players competing in top European leagues.
After shocking the football world in Qatar 2022, the Samurai Blue now hopes to finally break past the Round of 16 barrier and confirm that Japanese football truly belongs among the global elite.
