Japan prepares contract extension for national football coach Moriyasu

Japan's national football team is poised to continue under the guidance of coach Hajime Moriyasu, with the Japan Football Association preparing to offer him a contract extension. The Asahi Shimbun reported that the association is coordinating efforts to ask Moriyasu to remain at the helm, having already informally gauged his interest.

Moriyasu, 57, has been the senior team's head coach since 2018. He previously led the team to the Round of 16 in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a performance that earned him an extension through the current World Cup cycle. If he accepts the new offer, he is expected to lead Japan in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia. While the exact duration of the proposed contract is unconfirmed, reports suggest the association is considering a one-year deal.

Moriyasu boasts a strong coaching resume, having previously managed Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a league title in his first year and coached Japan's under-23 team before taking charge of the senior squad. Under his leadership, the national team reached the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the knockout stage of the World Cup in 2022. Despite a loss to Brazil in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the team is recognized for building a foundation to compete at a world-class level.

The Japan Football Association particularly values Moriyasu's eight-year tenure, during which the team has achieved notable victories against strong international opponents like Germany, Brazil, and England in friendly matches. The association plans to finalize the contract extension decision after a technical meeting involving Chairman Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Technical Committee Chairman Masakuni Yamamoto.