Japan displays talent and ambition to scale new heights at World Cup

They say this literally every time and every time it’s the same result.

qualifying out of Asia means almost nothing. Sorry, they just the reality.

Playing in European leagues gives them confidence. Week after week Japanese footballers rub shoulders against the very best footballers from Africa, Latin America, and Europe. The Samurais could go far in the 2026 World Cup. All the best to Endo and his men.

"We're aiming to win it," said Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada, one of five English Premier League players in the squad. "That's what we all keep saying. Our goal is to win the World Cup."

That's what I want to hear least don't forget Nandeshko has already done it! Why not the Samurais? It's always 11 against 11

Winning the Cup this time may be optimistic but the absolute minimum must be the Quarter Finals. From there, anything can happen. With the millions of Japanese kids coming through, hungry for their nation to be successful, Japan could be regularly beating the top European teams within 10 years.

He can call on more Europe-based players than ever, with 11 appearing in this season's UEFA Champions League.

That's definitely a big point. Experience in the biggest games in football will give confidence.

Japanese players have been playing in Europe for decades. Sorry, that’s no argument.

Nandeshko

Nadeshiko (なでしこ)

なんでシッコ means something else entirely.

I've seen footage

"Nandeshko

Nadeshiko (なでしこ)

なんでシッコ means something else entirely."

Guilty as charged, but what I stated earlier remains the same. Nadeshiko won it why not the Samurais?

Nadeshiko won it why not the Samurais?

Because the level of competition in men's football is about 50 times higher than in women's football. This is not a judgement on my part, but a simple fact. Japanese men started playing football professionally much, much later than their counterparts in Europe and South America, making it that much more difficult to catch up. Women's pro football is historically much more recent. 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 see Japanese players in every major team playing as a starter. When they get together they are much better than European countries playing in small domestic leagues.

Japanese players are highly valued in Europe. I see Japanese players in every major team playing as a starter.

That's highly exagerrated. There are no Japanese players in Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Inter, AC Milan, Roma, PSG, Ajax...

In fact the only "major teams" in Europe with Japanese players are Munich, Liverpool and Arsenal. And not exactly as irreplaceable starters. That's all. Japanese players are really making great progress in Europe, and I'm happy to see it, but let's not get carried away either.

It's exciting but #15 ranking is hardly expected to win the World Cup, probably never happened before, so reality important as well. If they get beyond the group stage, it's already a great result and then anything's possible!!

"Because the level of competition in men's football is about 50 times higher than in women's football. This is not a judgement on my part, but a simple fact. Japanese men started playing football professionally much, much later than their counterparts in Europe and South America, making it that much more difficult to catch up. Women's pro football is historically much more recent. 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."

Great point, but I believe everything is possible to a willing hearts.

Dream on.

Dream, imagination make it reality.