Japan aims for the 2026 World Cup final, according to the JFA.
JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto asserted that the current generation is capable of rewriting history: Japan is the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, having just beaten Brazil 3-2 and aiming for the final.
Japan Football Association (JFA) President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has set a clear goal for the 2026 World Cup in North America: Japan can reach the final. He calls this a new chapter for the "Blue Samurai," based on the team's early qualification, a squad of players currently playing in Europe, and their recent historic 3-2 victory over Brazil.
The basis of belief: European players and big results.
Miyamoto emphasized that the foundation of their ambitions lies in the quality of their current players: "The Japanese players are all playing in Europe, in the Premier League, Bundesliga, or Champions League. They are used to facing top players and know how to play against big teams."
- Wataru Endo (Liverpool)
- Takumi Minamino (Monaco)
- Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace)
- Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)
- Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Japan was the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in March thanks to their impressive performance in the qualifying rounds. Recently, they achieved a memorable milestone by defeating Brazil 3-2 in a friendly match – their first victory in history against the five-time world champions.
Statement from JFA: Goal is to raise the ceiling to a historic level.
“We need to get past the round of 16 and have enough confidence to go further, maybe even to the final,” Miyamoto said. He added, “Our coach said that Japan isn’t a contender for the championship yet, but we can reach the final. That’s a new chapter we want to write for Japanese football.”
Experience from the 2022 World Cup and a mature level of character.
Japan's motivation also stems from painful but valuable experiences. According to Miyamoto, the key players who were eliminated by Croatia in a penalty shootout at the 2022 World Cup are now more experienced and ready to share the burden with the next generation: “Experiences like these are crucial to reaching a new level. Some players who are still in the team have learned a lot and can share the burden with the next generation.”
Japan's World Cup history and Asian milestones.
Since their debut in 1998, Japan has participated in the World Cup seven consecutive times and been eliminated in the round of 16 four times (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022). The best record for Asian football is still held by South Korea with their semi-final appearance in 2002.
Miyamoto believes that times have changed: “Twenty years ago, we couldn’t even talk about winning the championship. Ten years ago, when Honda and Nagatomo said that the goal was to win the championship, many people thought it was outrageous. But now, we really have reason to believe that we can reach the final.”
Ambition 2026: Getting past the group stage is not enough.
With a well-balanced squad, growing confidence, and a foundation of players currently playing in Europe, Japan's goal is not just to get past the group stage. The JFA's stated objective is to break through the "glass ceiling" of the round of 16 – and, as Miyamoto put it, aim for the 2026 World Cup final.
