Team Overview
Japan are Asia's most exciting team heading into the 2026 World Cup. The Samurai Blue stunned the world at the 2022 tournament by beating both Germany and Spain in the group stage before narrowly losing to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16. That performance was no fluke—Japan have more players in top European leagues than ever before.
Under coach Hajime Moriyasu, Japan play a dynamic, possession-based style with rapid pressing and technical quality across the pitch. The squad's depth is remarkable, with multiple options in every position and a cohesive team identity that compensates for any individual limitations.
In Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden, Japan are genuine contenders to top the group. Their 2022 results proved they can beat anyone on their day, and they arrive in 2026 with even more experience and ambition.
Key Players
Takefusa Kubo
Forward
Real Sociedad
Takumi Minamino
Forward
AS Monaco
Wataru Endo
Midfielder
Liverpool
Kaoru Mitoma
Winger
Brighton
Ko Itakura
Defender
Borussia Monchengladbach
Tipping Culture Back Home
Tipping is not customary in Japan and can even be considered rude or confusing in some contexts. Exceptional service is seen as a matter of professional pride, not something that requires monetary reward.
- Restaurants: No tip expected or desired. Service is included and considered a point of pride.
- Hotels: No tipping. Staff may refuse or return money left as a tip.
- Taxis: No tip expected. The fare shown on the meter is the total amount.
- Ryokans (traditional inns): A 'kokorozuke' (envelope with money) may be given for exceptional service, but this is rare and formal.
- If you must leave a tip, place money in a clean envelope—never hand cash directly.
- Japan's service culture ('omotenashi') values hospitality as inherently rewarding.
Tipping at the World Cup
Japanese fans come from a culture where tipping is almost never done — service is a point of professional pride, not something rewarded with money. At US World Cup venues, tipping 18–20% at restaurants is mandatory. Not tipping is genuinely considered rude.
- Restaurants: Always tip 18–20%. Leaving nothing is not a neutral act in the US — it signals dissatisfaction.
- Bars: $1–2 per drink, for every round.
- Rideshares (Uber/Lyft): 15–20% tip through the app after your ride.
- Hotel housekeeping: $3–5/night, left on the pillow. Tip daily, not just at checkout.
- The hardest adjustment: US servers earn as little as $2.13/hour base wage. Without tips, they cannot pay their bills. Tipping is not optional.
Quick rule: When in doubt at any US venue, tip 20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and 18–20% for taxis/rideshares. You can't go wrong.
World Cup History
- Seven World Cup appearances: 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
- Co-hosted the 2002 World Cup with South Korea, reaching the Round of 16
- Beat Germany 2-1 and Spain 2-1 in the 2022 group stage
- Best result: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
- Japanese fans are famous for cleaning up stadiums after matches, earning worldwide admiration
Related Teams
Traveling to Watch Japan?
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