Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Samurai Blue compete in Group F at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Manager Hajime Moriyasu, captain Wataru Endo. AFC qualifier.
Japan's outlook at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Sitting at FIFA #15, Japan are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
Japan is the highest-ranked side in Group F (avg. opponent rank #30). They are expected to top the group, but France and Ivory Coast are realistic challengers.
The 2026 tournament uses an expanded 48-team, 12-group format with a new Round of 32. That changes the maths for Japan: the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance, so even a third-place finish in Group F is often enough to reach the knockouts. The first Japan match of the World Cup is scheduled for Saturday, June 13 against France at NRG Stadium.
Group F draw analysis
FIFA Ranking, confederation, and last-appearance finish for every team Japan face in Group F.
| Team | FIFA Rank | Confederation |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (this page) | #15 | AFC |
| France | #2 | UEFA |
| Ivory Coast | #39 | CAF |
| Costa Rica | #48 | CONCACAF |
Japan 2026 World Cup fixtures
Players to watch
Get every player's stats - goals, assists, cards, minutes, xG - via the player stats endpoint for competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}.
Japan World Cup history
Japan have appeared at 8 previous FIFA World Cups. Their best finish remains Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022). Across the last five tournaments they recorded: R16, R16, R16, Group, R16.
Get Japan data via API
// Fetch Japan World Cup 2026 matches
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.thestatsapi.com/api/football/matches?competition_id={COMPETITION_ID}&team=japan',
{ headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' } }
);
const { data } = await response.json();Frequently Asked Questions
What group is Japan in at the 2026 World Cup?
Japan is in Group F alongside France, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica. The average opponent FIFA ranking in Group F is #30.
Who is Japan's manager at the 2026 World Cup?
Hajime Moriyasu manages Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Wataru Endo as captain.
What is Japan's best World Cup finish?
Japan's best FIFA World Cup finish is Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022). They have appeared in 8 previous World Cup tournaments. Recent form: R16, R16, R16, Group, R16.
Who are Japan's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Wataru Endo leads a squad whose standout names include Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma. The full 26-player squad is named approximately one week before the opening match.
How did Japan qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
AFC qualifier. They came through the AFC qualifying pathway.
What is Japan's current FIFA Ranking?
Japan are ranked #15 in the world by FIFA at the time of the 2026 World Cup draw. Sitting at FIFA #15, Japan are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
What are Japan's chances of winning the 2026 World Cup?
Japan is the highest-ranked side in Group F (avg. opponent rank #30). They are expected to top the group, but France and Ivory Coast are realistic challengers. Sitting at FIFA #15, Japan are firmly in the "dark horse" tier — capable of a deep knockout run if the draw and form align.
How can I get Japan fixtures and stats via API?
Use TheStatsAPI matches endpoint with competition_id={COMPETITION_ID} and filter by team_id to get all Japan World Cup 2026 fixtures, lineups, live scores, in-play events, xG, and player-level stats. The same endpoint also returns historical World Cup data for Japan going back to their first tournament.
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