Japan
The Japan national football team, also known by the nickname Samurai Blue (サムライ・ブルー, Samurai Burū), represents Japan in men's international football. It is controlled by the Japan Football Association (JFA), the governing body for football in Japan. Wikipedia
| Official name | 日本サッカー協会 |
| Manager | |
| Stadium | Tokyo, Japan |
| Founded | 1921 (age 104) |
| FIFA Ranking | 15 Place |
| Links |     |
| Competitions |
 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) |
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8 | 1 | 9 |
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6 | 8 | |
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4 | 12 | |
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3 | 10 | |
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3 | 9 | |
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3 | 12 | |
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3 | 10 |
Japan 0 - 0 Saudi Arabia Highlights
Goal Takefusa Kubo 87', Japan-Bahrain 2:0
Goal Daichi Kamada 66', Japan-Bahrain 1:0
Japan 2 - 0 Bahrain Highlights
Goal Koki Ogawa 54', China-Japan 1:3
Goal Liangming Lin 49', China-Japan 1:2
Goal Ko Itakura 45', China-Japan 0:2
Goal Koki Ogawa 39', China-Japan 0:1
China 1 - 3 Japan Highlights
Goal Yukinari Sugawara 69', Indonesia-Japan 0:4
Goal Hidemasa Morita 49', Indonesia-Japan 0:3
Goal Takumi Minamino 40', Indonesia-Japan 0:2
Championship anxiety and emotion heighten in the race for promotion
theguardian.com2 hours
Ao Tanaka sat in the away dressing room and started crying. The Japan midfielder had just helped Leeds win a vital match at Middlesbrough this month but they were not tears of joy. “I asked Ao: ‘Why?’” said his manager, Daniel Farke.
theguardian.com
'Numb' and 'humiliated': Why China's football dream lies in tatters
BBC Sport3 weeks
On a hot, humid Thursday night in Saitama, China's national football team hit its lowest ebb.With a minute left on the clock and trailing Japan 6-0, Chinese defenders were likely wishing for the sweet relief of the final whistle
BBC Sport
Asian qualifying: Can Japan win the World Cup? Irvine the new Cahill?
ESPNsoccer.net3 weeks
· Joey Lynch and Gabriel TanWith the FIFA World Cup growing to 48 teams, opportunity is knocking for Asia
ESPNsoccer.net
Napoli are eyeing Southampton fullback Sugawara
tribalfootball.com3 weeks
The Japan international only moved to Saints last summer from AZ Alkmaar for €7m.However, with Saints due to be relegated from the Premier League, Sugawara is set to be on the move again
tribalfootball.com
Asano delighted with current Mallorca form: I knew I'd fit in here
tribalfootball.com3 weeks
The Japan striker has been the star of the show in recent matches, thanks to his goals against Alavés and Espanyol
tribalfootball.com
Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup? Japan become first nation to join hosts as England start campaign
talksport.com4 weeks
· Published: 15:49, 20 Mar 2025· Updated: 15:49, 20 Mar 2025Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?· Canada· Mexico· United States of America· Japan· TBC· TBC· TBC· TBC· TBC· AFC: eight direct slots and one play-off slot
talksport.com| Goalkeeper | ||||
| 1 |
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Zion Suzuki | age 22 |  |
| 12 |
|
Keisuke Osako | age 25 |  |
| 23 |
|
Kosei Tani | age 24 |  |
| Defender | ||||
| 2 |
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Yukinari Sugawara | age 24 |  |
| 3 |
|
Kota Takai | age 20 |  |
| 4 |
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Ko Itakura | age 28 |  |
| 5 |
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H. Sekine | age 22 |  |
| 16 |
|
Yuta Nakayama | age 28 | |
| 21 |
|
Hiroki Ito | age 25 |  |
| 22 |
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Yuto Nagatomo | age 38 |  |
| 22 |
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Ayumu Seko | age 24 |  |
| Midfielder | ||||
| 5 |
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Hidemasa Morita | age 29 | |
| 6 |
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Wataru Endo | age 32 |  |
| 7 |
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J. Fujita | age 23 |  |
| 7 |
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Kaoru Mitoma | age 27 |  |
| 8 |
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Takumi Minamino | age 30 | |
| 10 |
|
Ritsu Doan | age 26 | |
| 15 |
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Daichi Kamada | age 28 | |
| 17 |
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Ao Tanaka | age 26 |  |
| 19 |
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Reo Hatate | age 27 |  |
| Forward | ||||
| 9 |
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Kyogo Furuhashi | age 30 |  |
| 9 |
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Ayase Ueda | age 26 | |
| 11 |
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Daizen Maeda | age 27 | |
| 13 |
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Keito Nakamura | age 24 | |
| 14 |
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Junya Ito | age 32 | |
| 18 |
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Shuto Machino | age 25 |  |
| 20 |
|
Takefusa Kubo | age 23 | |
