As preparations ramp up for June’s FIFA World Cup, the Japanese side are coming into the event with a sense of cautious optimism.
Results from their recent friendly matches have been encouraging, including a historic triumph over global titans Brazil in October. They followed this up with comfortable victories over fellow World Cup-bound nation Ghana and a Bolivia side that will feature in March's Play-Off Tournament, putting to bed any doubts about their recent progress.
Nonetheless, with injuries rearing their ugly head and lingering uncertainties over the team’s tactics and system, the upcoming months will be vital for their preparations as they get set to square off with Netherlands, Tunisia and a European qualifier.
Tactically, Japan have a clear and defined plan at the back, but this stands in glaring contrast to an offensive set-up that has some question marks.
When out of possession, the team looks to press aggressively as a collective and defend proactively from the front in order to stymie their opponents’ build-up play. When a team manages to get around the press, rather than losing shape by chasing down the ball, they switch to an organised compact block with as many players behind the ball as possible. This ability to respond flexibly is one of a series of impressive achievements that head coach Hajime Moriyasu has put together during his long reign.
On the other hand, much work remains to be done to improve the team’s attacking play. Although they try to play the ball out carefully from the back, Japan can struggle to disrupt the opponent’s shape and their attacks have often failed to find complete cohesion.
Even when getting the ball out wide, their progress up the pitch is frequently laboured. Their attacks often break down and need to be restarted, causing their offensive shape to gradually decay. As a result, scoring chances hinge on individual decision-making and players forcing their way through gaps in opposing defensive lines rather than breaking down defences in an organised manner. Nonetheless, this attacking weakness is largely a consequence of the emphasis that the team places on defence, and successfully addressing it would represent an opportunity for Japan to reach the next level.
A key foundation to build on is the speed of transition between attack and defence. Japan are able to react extremely quickly when losing the ball and regain initiative high up the pitch. In particular, an ability to switch rapidly from defence to attack gives them the power to puncture opposing defences and demonstrates their potential for success at the highest level.
In addition to their solid results in recent friendly matches, Japan have shown a real stability to their game. Their collective approach to defence and speed in transition have allowed them to control games for longer periods and against any type of opponent.
In a friendly game on 14 October 2025, Japan secured their first ever victory over Brazil, by a 3-2 scoreline. They achieved this by stepping up their attacking rhythm in the second half of the match, displaying a tactical and mental edge over their illustrious opponents.
In November’s clashes with Ghana and Bolivia, the side managed to control both games while barely breaking a sweat, and their balance between attack and defence was sufficient to guarantee victory. All three results are, in any case, evidence of a polished and mature outfit.
Japan’s rising tide is supported by a steady influx of exciting new players. The recent friendly matches provided a brief platform for some of the younger Japanese stars to demonstrate their tactical understanding and flexibility, and drive competition within the team.
In particular, Kaishu Sano produced an eye-catching individual performance during the November tie against Ghana. His timing in the press and skill in latching onto loose balls were both outstanding, while his front-footed approach and football intelligence were key to his team controlling the match.
Sano’s talents are not limited to the defensive third, however. His work in creating the opener against Ghana exemplified his instinct for making positive choices and developing the game, contributing to the team’s overall build-up. Japan are well-served in midfield, but Sano has certainly made an impression and staked his claim for a place in the squad.
As well as providing extra footballing prowess, having an array of new talents grants the Asian side a degree of versatility in their tactics. With a wider choice of profiles available in a number of positions, Moriyasu has access to greater flexibility as he seeks to control games and respond to different opponents.
One concern for the Japanese side is the recent proliferation of injuries. Takumi Minamino has been central to their attack, but a ruptured ACL suffered while playing for Monaco has almost certainly ruled him out of the World Cup. The injury is a significant blow to the nation's hopes and his absence is likely to significantly impact their tactics.
Zion Suzuki is another player on the treatment table. If fit, he is the probable first-choice keeper but he finds himself out for a number of months, making him a doubt for the tournament. The team is built on the foundations of a solid defence, so missing the regular starting goalkeeper is a source of real uncertainty.
With these injuries to key players, including long-term concerns over Takehiro Tomiyasu, Moriyasu and the rest of his staff find themselves forced to manage the condition and load of their players, and balance their selection around this. The timing with which their injured players recover and return to the squad will have a major impact on future team selections and squad planning.
The upcoming six months will need to be more than just a period of fine tuning for Japan. It will be a crucial time to solidify the team’s tactical direction and assess the balance of the available players.
The friendlies in October and November were all played at home, and offered plenty of cause for optimism, even beyond the positive results. By contrast, they picked up one draw and one defeat on September’s visit to the USA, and their performances exposed a weakness in adapting to different environments and different levels of opponent.
With this in mind, the planned trip to face England at the end of March will be a real barometer for their progress. By taking on a top-class opponent on their own turf, Japan will have a chance to assess whether their defensive solidity and game management is genuinely world class.
