JAPAN

FIFA WC JAPAN Match Schedule and Results: Check full FIFA WC JAPAN Squad, FIFA WC JAPAN Matches, FIFA WC Points TABLE, FIFA WC JAPAN Group, FIFA WC JAPAN Results

Coaching Staff

Head coach: Hajime Moriyasu, Assistant coach: Akinobu Yokouchi, Toshihide Saito, Yusaku Ueno, Goalkeeping coach: Takashi Shimoda, Physical coach: Ryoichi Matsumoto

FIFA WC JAPAN SQUAD 

Defender Yuta Nakayama was called up but will miss the World Cup after suffering an Achilles injury. Striker Shuto Machino took his place in the squad.

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

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (Tokyo), Maya Yoshida (Schalke 04), Hiroki Sakai (Urawa Red Diamonds), Shogo Taniguchi (Kawasaki Frontale), Miki Yamane (Kawasaki Frontale), Ko Itakura (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Hiroki Ito (Stuttgart).

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

Forwards: Takuma Asano (Bochum), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ayase Ueda (Cercle Brugge), Shuto Machino (Shonan Bellmare).

FIFA World Cup 2022: Group E Points Table

For the Full FIFA World Cup Points Table Click Here: Full Points Table

FIFA WC JAPAN TEAM: The team that almost caused an upset in the Round of 16 by knocking out Belgium, and Japan truly made everyone look at them with awe in that game. Sadly, it wasn’t meant to be, as Japan were true to their style of play and didn’t go defensive after going 2-0 up and eventually lost the game 3-2.

But that game proved that the Samurai Blue have a few tricks up their sleeve and they should look to build on the same.

FIFA WC JAPAN SQUAD: Japan showed their class in the World Cup Qualifiers in the Second and Third Round Qualifiers and ensured that they made the trip to Qatar.

Having made it to the Round of 16 in the last edition, they will be high on confidence in doing the same again, but, this time having Spain and Germany in their group means that their outing will be 10x harder. 

They do not have to fret too much though as the last 2 World Cups have shown that giants can also be thrown out of the group stages with Spain crashing out in 2014 and Germany following suit in 2018. In the Qualifiers too, their defense was pretty good as they leaked only 4 goals and had 12 to their name.

JAPAN TEAM NEWS: The Japanese team plays in the 4-2-3-1 formation and that suits their style of absorbing pressure and hitting the team on the counter. Japan has become quite good at hitting teams on the counter and Spain and Germany especially, who will be on the front foot against Japan in their games, will need to be careful of Japan’s abilities on the attack.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been playing with Arsenal for quite a while now and his experience will be key as they look to upset the footballing giants in their group. Takumi Minamino also plied his trade with Liverpool in the PL but joined Monaco this season and even though he hasn’t been at his best, he will be looking to step it up.

JAPAN Team INJURY LIST: Striker Ryo Miyaichi will definitely miss the tournament due to a cruciate ligament injury. Striker Takuma Asano and Defender Ko Itakura, both have knee injuries and seem doubtful to make it to Qatar.

FIFA WC JAPAN GROUP NEWS: The Samurai Blue are in a tricky group this time with the likes of Spain, Germany, and Costa Rica. A mighty upset is needed from them if they are to go through to the Round of 16.

FIFA WC JAPAN Matches & Schedule: Japan will play their first game of the World Cup against Germany on the 23rd of November, and then against Costa Rica on the 27th. Spain will be their final opponent in the group on the 2nd of December.