Japan aims to win the World Cup in 2026 or 2030.

A clear statement from the Japan Football Association (JFA) and coach Hajime Moriyasu: the team's goal is no longer the quarter-finals or semi-finals. Japan's target is to win the 2026 or 2030 World Cup, while also aiming for the number one ranking in the world.

A declaration of ambition: from quarterfinal dreams to world championships.

In a recent television program, coach Hajime Moriyasu stated that the JFA and coaching staff have reviewed their goals following their high-level experiences. He affirmed: "The official goal of the Japanese national team is no longer to reach the quarter-finals or semi-finals, but to win the World Cup and become the number one team in the world."

The new goal is a continuation of the mindset shift that began in Qatar 2022, not a spontaneous idea.

The boost from the 2022 World Cup

Japan exited the tournament in the round of 16 after a penalty shootout against Croatia, but left their mark with two historic victories against Germany and Spain. Their spirit and composure in big matches laid the foundation for new ambitions.

Immediately after that defeat, captain Wataru Endo questioned why the team wasn't setting higher goals. From that question, the goals were raised, accompanied by internal consensus.

Ten-year plan and specific milestones

The JFA's 10-year plan for 2023-2032 clearly states its ambition to win the 2026 or 2030 World Cup, or at least reach the top of the FIFA rankings. This is a strategic roadmap with a defined timeline and measurable criteria.

• Short-term goal: to maintain the momentum gained after Qatar 2022.
• Medium-term goal: to win the 2026 or 2030 World Cup.
• Standardization goal: aiming for the number 1 position in FIFA.

Form as the foundation: victories against champions

Japan is in a confident state of play with an impressive run of results. Most notably, their 3-2 victory over Brazil in October, their first win against the "Selecao" in over 30 years.

Under coach Moriyasu, the team has repeatedly defeated former world champions such as Germany, Spain, Uruguay, and Brazil. Many matches were comeback victories, demonstrating the resilience and tenacity of the "Blue Samurai".

Team spirit and structure

Motivation stems from two things: the experience of facing strong opponents and belief in the current team. Japan possesses a generation of talented players at their peak, coupled with a well-structured development strategy. When the goal is stated, it becomes the guiding principle for training and selection.

The meaning of the declaration

The declaration of aiming for the World Cup title not only changed the measure of expectation but also shaped how Japan approached big matches. From Qatar 2022, through victories against Germany, Spain, Uruguay, and especially the 3-2 win against Brazil, the team has accumulated enough evidence to set the highest goal.

With their current form and a clear roadmap to 2032, Japan's World Cup dream has become more concrete in its definition: it's no longer a question of "can it happen or not," but rather "when and how."