AFC · Group F
FIFA World Cup 2026
Japan
FIFA Ranking #15Coach Hajime MoriyasuJPN
Team quick answers
What group is Japan in at World Cup 2026?
Japan are in Group F with Netherlands, Tunisia, Sweden. The group is a four-team round-robin.
Who coaches Japan and what is their FIFA ranking?
Japan are coached by Hajime Moriyasu, are FIFA-ranked #15, and use the team code JPN.
When does Japan's group-stage campaign start?
Japan's first group match is against Netherlands on June 14, 2026 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Their full group-stage window runs June 14, 2026 — June 25, 2026.
How can Japan reach the knockout stage?
Japan advance directly to the Round of 32 by finishing in the top two of Group F. If they finish third, they need to be one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
Team profile
Japan arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026 as a top-15 nation in the FIFA rankings, ranked #15 in the FIFA world rankings. Hajime Moriyasu leads the squad after qualifying through the AFC qualifying pathway. They have been drawn into Group F, a four-team round-robin where the top two advance directly to the round of 32 and the third-placed team competes for one of eight best-third spots.
Confederation: AFC (Asia) — the continent with eight direct WC2026 places plus play-off qualifiers. Japan's qualification campaign placed them among the eight or more sides representing their region at the expanded 48-team tournament.
Japan share Group F with Netherlands, Sweden, Tunisia. Average FIFA rank of the group: #23.
Japan's group-stage campaign runs from June 14, 2026 to June 25, 2026, with three matches over approximately two weeks.
FIFA World Cup 2026 is the first edition with 48 teams, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The expanded format means most teams need only finish in the top three of their group to keep playing.
