The Japan national football team has made history by becoming the first to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup through the demanding qualification process. But in the Land of the Rising Sun, their aspirations don’t stop at mere qualification — they are aiming higher.
As Wataru Endo, Liverpool and Japan midfielder, explained, simply reaching the World Cup finals is not enough for him or his teammates.
“In my speech when I was appointed as captain, I made it clear — our goal is to win the World Cup,” Endo said in a statement quoted by Reuters. “We have players who naturally set their sights on winning the World Cup, who believe that reaching the final or winning is just the start. I share the same belief.”
Despite Japan’s impressive progress in recent World Cup tournaments, where they reached the Round of 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022, the team’s ambitions have clearly evolved. Endo’s leadership and vision reflect the growing confidence in Japan’s footballing ability as they aim to make a lasting impact on the global stage in 2026.
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With this mindset, Japan is positioning itself to be one of the teams to watch in the upcoming tournament.
