The Seriously Smarter Way to World Cup 2026
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JAPAN
2022’s Goliath killers look to become a giant
FIFA Ranking
#17
Team Nickname
Samurai Blue
WC26 Expectation
Quarterfinals
Congrats, Japan has Qualified for the 2026 World Cup! There are no tickets available just yet for Japan
but in the mean time...
World Cup Tickets for Brazil
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Japan Team Events
- Feb 17, 2026TUE•4:30 PMFeb17tue4:30 PM - Cal St. Fullerton Titans vs. Team JapanAnderson Family Field, Fullerton, CA
- Mar 31, 2026TUE•7:45 PMMar31tue7:45 PM - International Friendly: England vs. JapanWembley Stadium, London, GB●24 Tickets Left!
- Jun 14, 2026SUN•3:00 PMJun14sun3:00 PM - FIFA World Cup 26: Group F: Netherlands vs. Japan - Match 11AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX●22 People Viewing Right Now
- Jun 20, 2026SAT•10:00 PMJun20sat10:00 PM - FIFA World Cup 26: Group F: Tunisia vs. Japan - Match 36Estadio BBVA Bancomer, Monterrey, MX
- Jun 25, 2026THU•6:00 PMJun25thu6:00 PM - FIFA World Cup 26: Group F: Japan vs. Playoff B - Match 57AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
All 2026 World Cup Matches
- Jun 11, 2026THU•2:00 PMJun11thu2:00 PM - World Cup 26: Group A: Mexico vs. South Africa - Match 01Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, MX●15 People Viewing Right Now
- Jun 11, 2026THU•9:00 PMJun11thu9:00 PM - World Cup 26: Group A: South Korea vs. Playoff D - Match 02Estadio Akron, Zapopan, MX
- Jun 12, 2026FRI•3:00 PMJun12fri3:00 PM - World Cup 26: Group B: Canada vs. Playoff A - Match 03BMO Field, Toronto, ON●27 People Viewing Right Now
- Jun 12, 2026FRI•6:00 PMJun12fri6:00 PM - World Cup 26: Group D: United States vs. Paraguay - Match 04SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA●23 People Viewing Right Now
- Jun 13, 2026SAT•12:00 PMJun13sat12:00 PM - World Cup 26: Group B: Qatar vs. Switzerland - Match 08Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
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TEAM OVERVIEW
Possessing Greatness
Japan builds attacks through quick, short passing combos and constant ball movement. They thrive on coordinated motion and possession maintenance. What sets them apart is their collective pressing, hunting in packs to win back possession through coordinated team pressure rather than individual brilliance.
Omotenashi in America
Samurai Blue supporter rituals throw open the window to Japan’s culture of “omotenashi” – selfless service and respect for shared spaces. Polite and respectful from kickoff to the final whistle, Japan fans are perhaps most famous for what they do after the match, sticking around at the stadium to help clean up their section.
Groomed for Greatness
Dubbed “the Japanese Messi” thanks to his brilliant playmaking ability, Takefusa Kubo has been groomed for the World Cup spotlight since Day One. Named the FC Barcelona Soccer Camp’s MVP at the ripe age of eight, he quickly became the youngest player to both debut and score in J.League history. His crafty and cerebral approach to the game is a perfect encapsulation of the Blue Samurai’s style – all substance, minimal flash.
An Academic Approach
Kaoru Mitoma actually wrote his university thesis on dribbling mechanics. Maybe that technical understanding is why he’s capable of such artistry out of the left wing slot, bringing an element of explosive genius to a team typically defined by coordinated precision. Can he shine in North America and elevate his status to that of Kubo?
