In a recent statement, coach Hajime Moriyasu declared that Japan is going to the World Cup with the goal of winning and a competitive spirit for the championship. This statement reflects a shift in the mindset of Japanese football after many years of development. The team no longer aims to simply get through the group stage or produce a few surprise matches.

The Japanese national team is a formidable "dark horse" at the 2026 World Cup. Photo: Reuters

The Japanese national team may not yet be ranked among the strongest teams at the 2026 World Cup. However, their performances in recent years show that the gap is narrowing significantly.

They have maintained stability for many years, built on a foundation of youth training, the quality of their domestic league, and an increasing number of players competing in Europe. The majority of Japan's first-team players have played in highly competitive environments in England, Germany, Spain, or Italy. Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endo, Daichi Kamada, and Takehiro Tomiyasu have all spent several seasons at the highest level of European football. This has resulted in noticeable changes in their playing speed, tactical thinking, and adaptability in big matches.

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar showed that Japan is not just a team that plays defensive counter-attacking football. This team is capable of high-intensity pressing, quick transitions, and maintaining discipline in their tactical system. Their two victories against Germany and Spain demonstrated coach Moriyasu's ability to adjust the game and the players' confidence under immense pressure.

Japan's organization and squad depth are also noteworthy. They don't rely entirely on a single individual. Even without Kaoru Mitoma or Takumi Minamino due to injury, the team has maintained stability in its operation. This is crucial because 2026 will be the first time the World Cup has such a dense schedule of matches.

International media consider Japan to be the team with the highest potential to spring a surprise, outside of the traditional title contenders. Sports Illustrated (USA) ranked Japan as the "number one dark horse" of the 2026 World Cup. Reuters assessed that the team enters the tournament with great confidence, after positive results against strong opponents during the preparation phase.

"Dark horse" is perhaps an appropriate term for Japan at the 2026 World Cup. They are not yet considered a title contender; their squad lacks world-class players capable of making a difference. Their experience in knockout matches is also questionable, as Japan has never advanced beyond the Round of 16 in their World Cup history.

However, they will still be a formidable opponent, capable of causing significant difficulties and requiring any team to be truly wary.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/world-cup-2026-doi-tuyen-nhat-ban-ngua-o-dang-gom-1040096