admin Japan is dreaming big ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the Japan Football Association (JFA) President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto declaring that the team’s goal is nothing short of reaching the World Cup final. It’s an ambitious statement from a nation that has never advanced beyond the round of 16, but one that reflects a new era of confidence and maturity in Japanese football.
Miyamoto believes Japan now has both the experience and depth to challenge the world’s best. Many of the country’s top players compete in Europe’s most demanding leagues. Stars such as Wataru Endo of Liverpool and Ritsu Doan of Eintracht Frankfurt bring invaluable exposure and composure to the national setup. Their recent landmark victory against five-time champions Brazil in an international friendly has further fuelled belief that Japan’s time on the global stage has come.
“The players are playing in Europe, in the Champions League and Premier League,” said Miyamoto. “They know how to face big teams and great players. This confidence will show something new to the world.”
That belief is backed by experience. Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Having featured in every World Cup since 1998, Japan’s consistent presence has built a foundation for greater success. Yet heartbreak has been a recurring theme; four exits in the round of 16, including a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Croatia in Qatar 2022, despite stunning group-stage wins over Germany and Spain.
“This generation knows they can go further,” Miyamoto said. “They have the confidence to advance, maybe even reach the final. Twenty years ago, we couldn’t say that. Ten years ago, it sounded surprising. But now, it feels real.”
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu, preparing for his second World Cup campaign, echoes that belief tempered with realism. He acknowledges that Japan may not yet be favorites but insists that the possibility of a final appearance is within reach. Around ten players from the 2022 squad are expected to return, bringing experience and unity to the team’s core.
With discipline, tactical precision, and unwavering spirit, Japan is stepping onto football’s biggest stage with one goal to make history. As Miyamoto and his team look ahead, the 2026 World Cup final dream no longer feels distant. It feels like destiny waiting to be seized.
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