Japan enters the 2026 World Cup with strong squad depth and recent wins over top European teams, aiming to surpass its past knockout stage exits.
Japan delivered an impressive run at the 2022 World Cup, topping a group featuring Germany and Spain before falling to Croatia in a penalty shoot-out during the round of 16.
This marked the fourth time the team was eliminated at this stage in its eight World Cup appearances.
Despite the setback, Japan remained unbeaten in its last nine matches against European opponents, showcasing resilience heading into the 2026 tournament.
The squad, nicknamed the Samurai Blue, will open its campaign against the Netherlands on Sunday night in a match starting at 21:00 BST.
Former Southampton defender Maya Yoshida, who captained Japan in 2022, believes the 26-player squad selected by manager Hajime Moriyasu has the talent to reach new heights in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Yoshida, now 37 and serving as a non-playing support player, has set a clear target for the team.
For me, reaching the quarter-finals - a stage we've never reached or even experienced before - is the main goal.
Anything beyond that would be a bonus.
Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu has publicly expressed his ambition to lead the team to World Cup glory in 2026.
My goal is for the team to be one of the best of the best.
We have raised our level little by little through our national team activity.
He emphasized the challenge of maximizing player potential while managing injuries, noting the team's depth and adaptability regardless of lineup changes.
Japan secured its spot at the 2026 finals as the first non-host nation, completing an almost flawless qualifying campaign.
Moriyasu highlighted that 19 of the 26 players from the 2022 World Cup were first-timers, and these players now form the core of the current squad.
They have had winning the World Cup in their sights all of this time, and also maintained the mentality to keep improving towards that goal.
Since the 2022 elimination, Japan has beaten top European teams including England, Germany, and Brazil, reinforcing its status as a rising force.
Yoshida attributes Japan's growing competitiveness to the increasing number of players competing in Europe's top leagues.
Of course, now more players play in Europe, especially high-level European competitions.
At the beginning, I was at VVV Venlo, a bottom Dutch league team, which was very good for me to have a first step, but time has changed now.
Japanese players' reputation is much higher.
He credited earlier generations like Shunsuke Nakamura, Hidetoshi Nakata, and Shinji Ono for paving the way for current players to succeed abroad.
Japan is not alone in its potential to surprise at the 2026 World Cup.
Other teams often mentioned as outsiders include Mexico, Ecuador, Turkey, and South Korea.
Former England striker Chris Sutton tipped Ecuador and Japan, noting, I am not sure Ecuador will score enough goals with 36-year-old Enner Valencia leading their line but they are one of my picks, along with Japan.
They have got some excellent technical players and will be dangerous, whoever they play.
Former Scotland international Rachel Corsie also highlighted Turkey as a team to watch, stating, Turkey could be tricky for some, and I don't know if this is really a surprise but I think Japan could go beyond where their world ranking of 18 suggests.
Former England and Manchester City defender Stephen Houghton praised Japan's performance at Wembley, backing the team to emerge as a surprise contender.