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Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mighty Japan stand in Socceroos way – but it has never been a better time to face them
The road to North America lies through Western Australia, and the hope for the Socceroos is that it doesn't all go south against their rivals from East Asia. A win against Japan in Perth on Thursday would almost certainly be enough for coach Tony Popovic's side to take the second automatic spot in their 2026 World Cup qualifier group. The good news is that there has never been a better time to face a Samurai Blue side that has already qualified and is in experimental mode. The bad news is … well, that is for Saudi Arabia to deal with. Having dominated Group C – being the first to book a berth in the newly-expanded 48-team tournament and boasting a goal difference of plus-46 in 14 qualifiers so far – Japan have earned the right to bring a squad containing just seven players with more than 10 international caps to Australia. They have also cemented their reputation as a genuine global force. After clinching their spot against Bahrain in March, captain Wataru Endo – one of the few established stars to make this trip – said that it was time to think about winning the World Cup. In 2005, the Japan Football Association pledged to do so by 2050. People laughed at the time, but to wait that long now would be a little disappointing. Advertisement Related: Socceroos reach crunch time with World Cup 2026 qualification in sight That was around the time when Australia joined the AFC and now, the situation with the two teams is all but reversed. Japan are full of stars playing in the big leagues. Endo has just won the Premier League title with Liverpool, Kaoru Mitoma is reportedly wanted by Arsenal and Bayern Munich and is set to take the title of Asia's biggest star from Son Heung-min. Ao Tanaka of newly-promoted Leeds United was, for many, the best player in the this season's Championship. Fans in Perth would usually love the rare chance to see such European-based talent but both Mitoma and Tanaka are absent. Indeed, many of Japan's European stars have been allowed by coach Hajime Moriyasu to go on holiday – including the likes of Ritsu Doan of SC Freiburg, Monaco's Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita of Sporting, Borussia Monchengladbach's Ko Itakura. In total, just 13 of the 27 players who made March's squad will be in Perth. 'I have always tried to make changes,' said Moriyasu, who has been in charge since 2018. 'In my opinion, it is not so much that we are selecting them, but rather that they have been proving themselves with performances that are worthy of selection.' Ryunosuke Sato, for example, is just 18 years old but has impressed as wing-back on loan at Fagiano Okayama. Junnosuke Suzuki, a 21-year-old converted centre-back also looks to have a bright future. Shunsuke Mito is another newbie, as is fellow Netherlands-based star Kodai Sano who joins his brother and FC Mainz player Kaishu. It is testament to the coach's leadership that while Japan are a settled and stable side with a firm identity, he has also selected over 60 players since the 2022 World Cup. Advertisement Given what is at stake for the hosts, few in Australia will care if their opponents are not at their strongest. There are, however, concerns in Saudi Arabia, who are three points behind the Socceroos with a much inferior goal difference, and in need of a favour. There was an assumption in Riyadh that Japan would get at least a draw in Perth to ensure that Hervé Renard's side would hold the top-two destiny in their own hands, with the shortest of trips to Bahrain followed by a home game against a travel-weary Socceroos five days later. After Moriyasu named his squad, confidence in Riyadh has taken a dent. The Chinese media have also discussed Moriyasu's choices as they are counting on the Blues to beat Indonesia, rivals for the top four, at home on Tuesday. Related: Socceroos dealt blow as injured Craig Goodwin out of squad for crunch World Cup qualifiers While Japan may still play Moriyasu's favoured 3-4-2-1 formation, given all the changes, it is hard to know who starts and who does not. Moriyasu said that the rookies need some veterans around them. Endo should be in the middle, perhaps behind the more creative talents of Takefusa Kubo, who had a good season with Real Sociedad and Daichi Kamada who helped Crystal Palace win the FA Cup. Left-back Yūto Nagatomo, provider of the decisive cross for the 2011 Asian Cup's winning goal, may inch closer to his 150th cap, not much fewer than the other 26 have between them. There may be some issues for the Australian coaching staff to try and prepare for a game against a potentially unfamiliar foe but this has to be better than facing the strongest version of Japan desperate for points. That there is still plenty of talent does not need to be said, the same with warnings against complacency – the new players have a chance to play themselves into contention for the World Cup – but there is no doubt that Japan are in Perth with more than one eye on the next northern summer.
The Mainichi
26-04-2025
- Sport
- The Mainichi
Football: Nadeshiko Japan to visit Brazil for 2 friendly matches
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japan Football Association said Saturday the women's national team will play friendly matches against Brazil in Sao Paulo on May 30 and June 2. The team, nicknamed Nadeshiko Japan, has a 7-5 win-loss record with three draws against Brazil. In their most recent meeting, Japan edged Brazil 2-1 in the first stage of the Paris Olympic tournament last year. Japan are currently ranked fifth in the world, and Brazil eighth. Brazil will host the Women's World Cup in 2027. In February, Japan won the four-team SheBelieves Cup invitational tournament in the United States under new manager Nils Nielsen.
Daily Tribune
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Japan Eyes 2039 Women's World Cup After FIFA's Regional Shift
Bid Plans Adjust to FIFA's Timeline Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has confirmed the country will now target hosting the 2039 Women's World Cup, following FIFA's decision to exclude Asian nations from bidding for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments. Last week, FIFA outlined its hosting strategy, opening the 2031 edition to African and Concacaf federations—covering North and Central America and the Caribbean—while restricting 2035 to Africa and Europe. For Japan, a nation with its sights set on 2031, this means a longer wait. Miyamoto didn't hide his frustration, calling it 'extremely disappointing,' but quickly pivoted to the future, signaling Japan's resolve to stay in the race. Undeterred Ambition for Women's Football Despite the setback, Miyamoto made it clear Japan's commitment to growing women's football remains unshaken. 'We're not stepping back from our goals—more women playing, stronger competition, a better game,' he said in a statement that carried a quiet defiance. Japan's credentials are hard to ignore. The Nadeshiko, as the women's national team is known, lifted the World Cup in 2011, edging Germany in a penalty shootout, and reached the final again in 2015, only falling to the USA. At youth level, they've been relentless, making the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup final in the last three editions. Miyamoto sees this as a foundation to build on, not a peak to rest at. A Legacy Waiting to Host Japan's football history adds weight to its aspirations. The country co-hosted the 2002 men's World Cup with South Korea, a logistical triumph that saw packed stadiums and smooth operations across two nations. Yet the Women's World Cup has eluded them. Now, with 2039 as the earliest shot, the focus is on sustaining momentum. 'We're on the right path,' Miyamoto insisted, pointing to packed domestic leagues and rising participation. He's got his eye on more than just hosting—Japan wants its teams, from seniors to juniors, to be in the conversation for world's best, backed by facilities and support that match the ambition. Global Rotation Shapes the Wait FIFA's regional rotation means Brazil will stage the next Women's World Cup in 2027, their first go at it after a standout men's tournament in 2014. Then it's Africa or Concacaf in 2031, and Africa or Europe in 2035, leaving Asia on hold. For Japan, the delay stings but isn't fatal. Fans still talk about 2011—the night in Frankfurt when Ayumi Kaihori's saves sealed the title—and the buzz around the Nadeshiko's recent youth success keeps the fire alive. Miyamoto's plan is steady: keep pushing the sport forward, so when 2039 rolls around, Japan's not just ready to host—they're ready to dominate.
Reuters
08-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Japan to consider 2039 Women's World Cup bid after FIFA decision
March 8 (Reuters) - Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has said his country will consider bidding to host the 2039 Women's World Cup after FIFA's decision not to allow Asian nations to pitch for the rights to the 2031 or 2035 editions of the competition. The game's governing body announced last week that bids for the 2031 rights would be permitted from countries in Africa and Concacaf, the regional body governing the sport in North and Central America as well as the Caribbean. With only African and European bidders being considered for the 2035 finals, the Japanese and other Asian federations wishing to organise the quadrennial event will have to wait until 2039. "This is extremely disappointing news for us as we were aiming to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031," Miyamoto said in a statement. "However, regardless of this decision, there is no change to our intention to expand women's football in Japan, increase the number of women playing football, and improve the level of competition." The Japanese co-hosted the 2002 edition of the men's World Cup with South Korea but the country has never hosted the Women's World Cup. Japan's women's team, known as the Nadeshiko, has a strong track record on the international stage, winning the Women's World Cup in 2011 before finishing as runners-up four years later. The country also has an impressive record at youth level, reaching the final of the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup at each of the last three tournaments. "There is no doubt that we are on a good track now," said Miyamoto. "With an eye on hosting the Women's World Cup after 2039, we will continue to work to turn women's national teams of all ages into teams that can compete to be the best in the world, and to improve the environment for women's soccer all over the country." The next edition of the Women's World Cup will be played in Brazil in 2027.
Japan Times
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Japan shut out of bid process for hosting 2031 World Cup
Japan's soccer chief said he was very disappointed after FIFA torpedoed the country's hopes of hosting the 2031 Women's World Cup. Soccer's world governing body said Wednesday that bids for the 2031 tournament would be limited to countries from North America and Africa, with the 2035 event going to either Europe or Africa. Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said in an interview last year that Japan wanted to host the 2031 event to "raise the value of women's football here." Japan, which won the Women's World Cup in 2011, must now wait until 2039 at the earliest before it can host the tournament for the first time. "For us, who were aiming to host the 2031 Women's World Cup, this is very disappointing news," Miyamoto said in a statement. "But this decision doesn't change our aim to widen the spread of women's football, increase the playing population and raise the level of the women's game in Japan." Miyamoto, who captained his country at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, had said Japan wanted to use the 2031 tournament to close the gap on Europe and North America. Japan's women have not gone beyond the World Cup quarterfinals since to the US in the 2015 final. Miyamoto said Japan would consider a bid for the 2039 tournament and beyond. "To everyone associated with the game in this country, let's move forward together," he said. The 2027 Women's World Cup will be held in Brazil.
