Japan eyes World Cup glory despite injuries, faces tough Netherlands test

Japan harbors significant ambitions for the 2026 World Cup, openly targeting the championship title, a declaration that signals a new level of confidence for the typically reserved nation.

This ambitious goal faces considerable hurdles, notably the absence of star players such as Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma, and Wataru Endo, all ruled out due to injuries. However, head coach Hajime Moriyasu remains steadfast, emphasizing the team's squad depth. A significant portion of the 26-man roster, 23 players, currently competes in top European leagues, underscoring the quality available.

Historically, the Netherlands has held a superior edge over Japan. Their past encounters include a 3-0 Dutch victory in 2009, a narrow 1-0 win for the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup, and a 2-2 draw in a 2013 friendly. While no players from that last meeting remain active for both sides, Japan's recent performances have commanded respect on the global stage.

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Who dares to underestimate the Japanese national team?

Japan enters the tournament on a six-match winning streak, having defeated notable opponents like Brazil, Ghana, Bolivia, Scotland, England, and Iceland. Despite this impressive run, the Netherlands is still favored by bookmakers, with odds reflecting a slight advantage. Supercomputer predictions also lean towards a Dutch victory, with Sports Mole giving the Netherlands a 44.3% chance of winning compared to Japan's 30.4%, and Opta projecting a 52.1% win probability for the Dutch against Japan's 22%.

Despite the statistical edge for the Netherlands, many football experts and specialized outlets predict a draw. This cautious outlook stems from Japan's history of causing upsets in previous World Cups, including victories over Germany and Spain in Qatar 2022 and Senegal in Russia 2018. However, the Netherlands' defensive approach, utilizing a three-center-back formation, is expected to limit Japan's ability to create unexpected opportunities. Both teams' tactical setups suggest a low-scoring match, with a strong emphasis on solid defense.

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The Japanese are very rarely boastful, but before the 2026 World Cup, they talked a lot about the goal of winning the championship.