🇯🇵
World Cup 2026 · Group F · FIFA #18
Japan
- Group
- F
- FIFA Rank
- #18
- Pot
- 2
- Formation
- 4-2-3-1
Group F · Pre-tournament line
Sorted by Pot then FIFA ranking. Click any opponent for their team page.
| # | Team | FIFA | Pot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | #7 | 1 |
| 2 | 🇯🇵 Japan | #18 | 2 |
| 3 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | #38 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | #44 | 4 |
Japan's World Cup 2026 fixtures
All three group-stage matches with venue, kickoff time and broadcast routing.
Matchday 1 · 20:00 UTC
🇳🇱 Netherlands vs 🇯🇵 Japan
Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium)
· Arlington · capacity 80,000 · climate-controlled · city guide →
Broadcast: FOX · Telemundo (US) · See Netherlands's team page →
Matchday 2 · 04:00 UTC (next day)
🇹🇳 Tunisia vs 🇯🇵 Japan
Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA)
· Guadalupe · capacity 51,000 · city guide →
Broadcast: FOX · Telemundo (US) · See Tunisia's team page →
Matchday 3 · 23:00 UTC
🇯🇵 Japan vs 🇸🇪 Sweden
Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium)
· Arlington · capacity 80,000 · climate-controlled · city guide →
Broadcast: FOX · Telemundo (US) · See Sweden's team page →
Tactical snapshot
Formation
4-2-3-1 ↔ 3-4-2-1 vs possession sides
Pivot
Wataru Endo
Attacking focus
Takefusa Kubo · Kaoru Mitoma
Identity
Kubo–Mitoma inside-forward axis, Endo–Morita double pivot
Key players
Takefusa Kubo
Kaoru Mitoma
Wataru Endo
Daichi Kamada
Japan at the World Cup
| First appearance | Total appearances | Best finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 8 (incl. 2026) | Round of 16 · 4× champion |
How to watch Japan
United States: FOX · Telemundo
Home market: NHK · TV Asahi
For the full broadcast schedule see our Match Centre →.
Read more about Japan
Japan World Cup 2026 — FAQ
When does Japan play their first World Cup 2026 match?
Japan's tournament begins Jun 14, 2026 against Netherlands at Dallas Stadium, Arlington (20:00 UTC).
Who is Japan's coach at World Cup 2026?
Hajime Moriyasu.
What group is Japan in at the 2026 World Cup?
Group F with Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia.
What is Japan's FIFA ranking heading into the 2026 World Cup?
#18 in the April 2026 FIFA Men's World Ranking, drawn into Pot 2.
Has Japan ever reached a World Cup Round of 16?
Japan's best finish is Round of 16, reached 4 times. They have appeared at 8 World Cups including 2026.
Who is Japan's captain at World Cup 2026?
Wataru Endo.
Where can I watch Japan's World Cup 2026 matches?
FOX · Telemundo in the United States; NHK · TV Asahi in Japan.