'Online coach' Honda says Japan has the potential to win the 2026 World Cup

Keisuke Honda, who was known as the "online coach" during his time leading the Cambodian team, commented that Japan has the potential to win the 2026 World Cup.

Keisuke Honda believes Japan has the potential to win the 2026 World Cup - Photo: Reuters

Speaking at the AVCJ Private Equity Forum in Hong Kong on November 18, Keisuke Honda said: "Japan has the potential to be one of the four strongest teams at the World Cup next year, maybe even the champion. Nothing is impossible, they have a lot of good players at the moment so I hope they will succeed."

Honda (39 years old) is one of the most famous players in the history of Japanese football, having played for many famous clubs in the world such as: CSKA Moscow, AC Milan, Botafogo... He also played 98 matches for the Japanese national team and scored 38 goals. The midfielder's outstanding achievement was leading the Japanese team to the 2011 Asian Cup championship, which was also the tournament in which he was voted "Best Player of the Tournament".

During his professional career, Honda was appointed as the CEO of the Cambodian national team in a voluntary unpaid role. He later also served as the coach of the U23 and Cambodian national teams, managing a total of 45 matches, with 12 wins, 6 draws and 27 losses.

What's special is that because he's busy competing, Honda often has to carry out work by phone and video call for the Cambodian teams. That's why he's been nicknamed "online coach" by the Southeast Asian press.

After retiring in 2024, Honda did not abandon his coaching career but became a venture capitalist. He is currently co-founder of venture capital firm X&KSK.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hlv-truc-tuyen-honda-cho-biet-nhat-ban-co-tiem-nang-vo-dich-world-cup-2026-20251118193057807.htm