Japan Set Sights Beyond Asian Dominance at World Cup

Over the past two decades, Japanese and South Korean footballers have become increasingly prominent across Europe’s top leagues. Despite that progress, Japan have yet to advance beyond the Round of 16 at a FIFA World Cup, a hurdle head coach Hajime Moriyasu has previously described as a psychological barrier for the national team.

However, expectations are higher than ever as Japan prepare to begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Arlington on Sunday. Many observers believe the current squad could be the strongest in the nation’s history and potentially one of the most competitive Asian teams ever to appear at the tournament.

Moriyasu, who has been in charge since 2018 and is Japan’s longest-serving national team manager, has spoken confidently about the team’s ambitions, openly expressing his belief that Japan can challenge for the World Cup title.