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Today with Japan
- Japan2026-07-09
Moriyasu accepts an unusual half-year extension — Japan's coach only through the Asian Cup
The offer the Japan Football Association put to Hajime Moriyasu came with an end date attached: stay on, but only until the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next January. Several Japanese outlets reported on July 8 that Moriyasu has signaled he will accept. Even a title would not extend him — an unusual half-year term that already has its own finish line.
JapanJapanJFAMoriyasu - Japan2026-07-01
Why Mainz holds the cards on Kaishu Sano: contract to 2028, no release clause
Mainz's football bosses left the door ajar: at a certain level of offer, they would consider their options. After scoring Japan's opener against Brazil in the World Cup last 32, Kaishu Sano — under contract to 2028 with no release clause — sits at the center of a summer transfer question that Mainz, not the suitors, controls.
JapanJapanTransfersBundesliga - Japan2026-06-29
Japan lose 2-1 to Brazil on a stoppage-time goal and go out in the round of 32
Japan led five-time champions Brazil from the 29th minute and were six minutes from one of the World Cup's biggest shocks. Then Gabriel Martinelli scored in stoppage time to make it 2-1 in Houston, and Japan's tournament ended in the first knockout round.
JapanJapanRound of 32Brazil - Japan2026-06-23
Kubo set to miss Sweden, but back to light running — his real target is the knockout round
Three days before the match that can send Japan through, Takefusa Kubo showed up for the team photo in Nashville on June 23 — then watched the full session from the side. He has started light running again, but is now expected to miss Sweden. The realistic target for his return has shifted to the knockout round.
JapanJapanGroup FInjury - Japan2026-06-21
Ueda's two goals answer the question over Japan's No. 9
In the 31st minute Ayase Ueda took a touch, opened his body and curled an 18-yard shot into the bottom-left corner. By full time he had two, Japan had four, and the long argument over who leads their attack had a clear answer.
JapanJapanAyase UedaGroup F - Japan2026-06-20
Netherlands–Sweden goes first: on Group F's second matchday, Japan reads the table before facing Tunisia
On June 21, Group F plays both its second-round games on the same day: Netherlands vs Sweden in the early hours, then Japan vs Tunisia at midday Japan time. Japan will kick off already knowing the updated table — and if teams finish level, the first thing that separates them is the head-to-head result, not overall goal difference.
JapanGroup FQualificationJapan
The Captain, Wataru Endo
From an overlooked boy in Yokohama to the captain whose presence still binds Japan together.
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From Doha to North America
A map-led journey through Japan's World Cup history, from Doha to the 2026 horizon.
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Takefusa Kubo, Toward 2026
From Kawasaki to La Masia, Japan, La Real, and the road toward North America.
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