‘Samurai Blue’ Japan quickly started preparing for the 2026 FIFA United (Canada-Mexico-USA) World Cup.
Japan’s ‘Nikkan Sports’ said, “Coach Hajime Moriyasu departed from Tokyo Haneda International Airport for a European inspection. The main purpose is to meet the members of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Stade Reims and Paris Saint-Germain, where Junya Ito is playing in France, (PSG) I plan to watch the match and go to Germany to meet Maya Yoshida, who is active at Schalke.”
According to the media, coach Moriyas explained the purpose of his visit to Europe, saying, “I want to look back on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. I want to hear the achievements and tasks from the player’s point of view, not from the coaching staff’s point of view.” He also said, “It seems to be the beginning of a new team composition for the 2026 United World Cup,” and said that he would prepare for the World Cup three years later.
Last year, Japan participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the grand goal of ‘advancing to the quarterfinals’. However, it was not easy from the group stage. It was not easy to advance to the round of 16 as they were placed in Group E with Spain in the ‘Invincible Armada’, Germany in the ‘Tank Corps’ and Costa Rica in the ‘North and Central America Dark Horse’.
However, Japan has overturned public expectations. Despite conceding the first goal against Germany in the first leg, Doan Ritz equalized and Asano Takuma came from behind to win the match. In the second match against Costa Rica, they were defeated, but in the third match against Spain, Doan and Ao Tanaka scored consecutive goals to win a come-from-behind victory. 스포츠토토
Japan met Croatia in the round of 16. It was eliminated after a close match that went through overtime and went to a penalty shootout. Nonetheless, Japan demonstrated the potential of Asian football, and after the end of the tournament, signed a new contract with manager Moriyasu and began preparations for the 2026 United World Cup.
On the other hand, South Korea started the search for a successor after coach Paulo Bento put down the baton. Michael Müller, head of the Korea Football Association (KFA) National Team Strengthening Committee, is reviewing several candidates. South Korea is also set to start its journey for the 2026 United World Cup after welcoming a new coach.