World Cup 2022 Team Preview - Japan

Japan's odds to win the World Cup

250/1

Best World Cup

Second round 2002, 2010, 2018 

2018 World Cup

Second round

Japan's World Cup Schedule

• Read a full Group E summary here

Road to Qatar

Japan bagged no less than 46 goals in eight games during their initial group phase, but were less convincing in the second qualifying group when they contrived to lose two of their opening three games to Oman and eventual group winners, Saudi Arabia. Japan were never dominant, with four of their seven wins coming by a narrow one-goal margin (the other three were 2-0), but ultimately it was their two crucial successes against Australia that saw them safely through as runners-up. 

Recent form

Japan arrive in Qatar in good shape after an encouraging run of warm-up games. They began the summer by alternating impressive 4-1 successes against Paraguay and Ghana with defeats to Brazil (0-1) and Tunisia (0-3). Maybe that last setback was a defensive wake-up call, because they have since gone five unbeaten games (Won 3, Drawn 2) without conceding a goal, including impressive wins against USA and South Korea.

Japan squad

Goalkeepers: Shuichi Gonda (Shimizu S-Pulse), Daniel Schmidt (Sint-Truiden), Eiji Kawashima (Strasbourg).

Defenders: Miki Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale), Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Reds), Maya Yoshida (Schalke), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach), Hiroki Ito (Stuttgart), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo).

Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Stuttgart), Hidemasa Morita (Sporting CP), Ao Tanaka (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Gaku Shibasaki (Leganes), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Junya Ito (Reims), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Yuki Soma (Nagoya Grampus).

Forwards: Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Takuma Asano (Bochum), Ayase Ueda (Cercle Bruges).

Team insights

Probable formation: 4-5-1 Japan will need their line-up to remain compact and disciplined if they are to stifle the attacking threat of Spain and Germany long enough to remain in those respective games. Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will be keen to prove himself at the highest level, while Schalke's central defender Maya Yoshida will have the responsibility of keeping the back four organised. Former Liverpool striker Takumi Minamino will be relied on to lead any forays in the final third, while fellow forward Yuyu Osako should not be underestimated after bagging 25 goals from 57 international appearances. Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma has already caught the eye in limited EPL appearances and will be quick to exploit any defenders who think Japan offer an easy ride.

World Cup prospects

Consigned to a group that includes both Germany and Spain, Japan will have to cause at least one major upset if they are to progress at the expense of one of those European juggernauts. It seems likely that a positive result against Costa Rica will be paramount if they are to have anything to play for in their final match against Spain, but it would cause a seismic shock in world football if Japan were to make the second round. Best hope: 3rd in Group E

Read more about each of Japan's Group E opponents:

Spain, Germany, Costa Rica