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Japan aims for deep World Cup run as tournament begins

BBC Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 12:02 PM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

Japan aims for deep World Cup run as tournament begins
Summary

Japan prepares for their opening match against the Netherlands on June 16, 2026, as part of the 2026 World Cup. The Samurai Blue are seen as potential dark horses following a strong performance in the previous tournament where they topped their group by defeating Germany and Spain. Manager Hajime Moriyasu and former captain Maya Yoshida express confidence in the team's capabilities, aiming for a historic quarter-finals appearance. Japan remains unbeaten against European teams in their last nine matches leading up to this tournament.

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By the Numbers
  • •Japan's opening match is on June 16, 2026, against Netherlands.
  • •In 2022, Japan topped their group but lost in the round of 16.
  • •Yoshida highlights the importance of aiming for quarter-finals.
  • •The team is unbeaten in nine matches against European opposition.
  • •Moriyasu targets World Cup glory despite player injuries.
Latest Updates
  • 12:02 PMBBC Sport — Could Japan be the World Cup's dark horses?
What they're saying
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Japan could be one of the surprise packages of the 2026 World Cup, with growing belief they are ready to go further than ever before.

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