JAPAN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

The Japan national football team (Japanese: サッカー日本代表, Sakkā Nippon Daihyō) represents Japan in men’s international football and is governed by the Japan Football Association (JFA). Japan is a member of AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and FIFA, competing regularly in both continental and global tournaments.

Nicknamed the Samurai Blue, after the team’s traditional blue kit and the samurai heritage of Japan, the national team plays its home matches at various stadiums across the country, including Saitama Stadium 2002 and Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.

Japan has established itself as one of Asia’s leading football nations. The team has qualified for the FIFA World Cupseven consecutive times since 1998 and has achieved notable success in the AFC Asian Cup, winning the tournament four times (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011). Japan is known for its technical skill, disciplined organization, and quick, dynamic style of play.

Through extensive youth development programs and professional leagues like the J.League, Japan continues to produce players who compete internationally, helping the team maintain a strong presence both in Asia and on the world stage.