Why is the football world suddenly taking Japan seriously before the 2026 World Cup?
While everyone keeps talking about the usual favorites, Japan has quietly built the strongest squad in its football history — and the results are starting to scare people.
This is the story of how Japan became one of the most dangerous teams heading into the 2026 World Cup.
Led by Hajime Moriyasu, the same man who experienced Japan’s heartbreak in 1993, this new generation has transformed the national team completely. Players like Kaoru Mitoma, Takefusa Kubo, Wataru Endo, Daichi Kamada, and Ayase Ueda are now competing at the highest levels of European football every single week.
And the numbers are hard to ignore.
Japan dominated World Cup qualifying, became the first nation outside the hosts to qualify for 2026, and has now gone unbeaten against top European teams including Germany, England, and Spain.
This video breaks down Japan’s rise, the tactical system behind their success, the growth of Japanese football in Europe, and why many people believe the Samurai Blue could shock the world at the 2026 World Cup.
Because this doesn’t feel like another underdog story anymore.
It feels like something much bigger is coming.
JP2021.COM