Japan
Japan arrive at their eighth consecutive tournament — a streak unmatched in Asia — and at their tactical peak. Hajime Moriyasu, retained after Qatar 2022's heroic group-stage wins over Germany and Spain, runs a flexible 3-4-2-1 that protects defensively and unleashes pace in transition. Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) is the wing X-factor; Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) supplies craft inside; Wataru Endo (Liverpool) screens the back four; Ao Tanaka adds engine to midfield. Asian qualifying was a coronation: 7 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses. Group F with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia is winnable for second; matching 2022's round of 16 is the floor, the quarter-final the historic prize Japan have never reached.
Upcoming matches
Group F standings
| # | Teams | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Sweden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |