Japan has become the first country ... the final months before it co-hosted the 2002 World Cup, when it rose as high as 10th following a tune-up friendly against Slovakia. FIFA’s own rankings ...

Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said "everything can happen" after a 0-0 draw with already qualified Japan on Tuesday kept his team's hopes of an automatic 2026 World ... line-up from the win ...

but you have to back it up every day in training." Japan cannot be accused of lacking ambition, with Endo calling for fans to buy into their goal of winning the World Cup in an on-pitch address ...

Make no mistake: Japan have the quality to go deep into the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup. But, as Tuesday's dour 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia illustrated, when coming up against opposition of ...

WELLINGTON--Japan stormed through the group stage at the Women’s World Cup with three dominant wins ... stage - what we have to do is keep up that level of performance,” said Hasegawa ...

I’s a simple equation for Hajime Moriyasu and his Japan team this week: beat Bahrain and a 2026 World Cup spot is guaranteed ... “So we’ve ended up in a situation where we have to play ...

Real Sociedad forward Takefusa Kubo celebrates scoring for Japan against Bahrain in Saitama, Japan, on March 20. AFP Japan has never gone beyond the last 16 at a World Cup, but it has set itself ...

Co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico are already in, but the list is growing for the 2026 World Cup field.

Saudi Arabia battled to a 0-0 away draw with already qualified Japan on Tuesday to keep their fading hopes of an automatic place at the 2026 World Cup alive ... Japan locked up their place ...

The first women's football team in Japan was formed in 1966. That only 4 years before the first Women's World Cup. Men have over a century to catch up. Japanese players are highly valued in Europe. I ...