Feature
Japan arrive as familiar dark horses, but a string of encouraging warm-ups has nudged the talk towards a genuine quarter-final push. Hajime Moriyasu's settled, front-foot pressing side now has the depth to dream of going further than ever before. The questions: can they navigate a tough, physical group, and can they absorb the loss of the injured Kaoru Mitoma?
Japan are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.
Takefusa Kubo
The creative spark Japan will lean on to unlock stubborn defences.
Kaoru Mitoma
A key forward sidelined by injury — his return would lift the whole side.
Hajime Moriyasu
The steady hand whose well-drilled system gives Japan their cohesion (head coach).
Age profile
Club homes
Ajax2
Borussia MönchengladbachDefenders
Feyenoord2
St. Truiden2
Celtic1
Crystal Palace1+16 more clubs
26 Other
Experience
The most-capped head in the squad — Leeds.
Who's getting on the scoresheet.
