U20 World Cup - Group A: Japan overview, squad, and schedule | OneFootball

Japan's overview, squad and schedule at the U20 World Cup

Japan/@JFA

Finalists in 1999 in Nigeria, the Japanese are dreaming of lifting the U20 World Cup trophy for the very first time. It's a tough goal to achieve, but not out of reach for a team with a rich tradition in this competition.

Japan U20 overview

- The Japanese squad has qualified for the final tournament for the 12th time, and the fourth in a row.

- Japan’s best result was a runner-up finish, losing to Spain (4-0) in the 1999 final.

- In their other ten appearances, Japan has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals.

Japan U20 qualification process

Japan clinched their spot in the final tournament by reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup in China.

Japan U20 squad

Goalkeepers: Keisuke Nakamura (Tokyo Verdy), Masataka Kobayashi (FC Tokyo), Alexandre Kouto Horio Pisano (Nagoya Grampus), Wataru Goto (FC Tokyo), Rui Araki (Gamba Osaka).

Defenders: Harumichi Shiokawa (-), Soichiro Mori (Nagoya Grampus), Kazunari Kita (Real Sociedad B), Rikuto Kuwahara (-), Rei Umeki (FC Imabari), Mihiro Sato (Kashima Antlers), Yugo Okawa (-), Niko Takahashi Cendagorta (Cerezo Osaka), Kaito Tsuchiya (Kawasaki Frontale), Rion Ichihara (Omiya Ardija).

Midfielders: Yudai Shimamoto (Shimizu S-Pulse), Shunsuke Saito (Mito Hollyhock), Nelson Ishiwatari (Iwaki), Ryunosuke Sato (Fagiano Okayama), Yumeki Yokoyama (FC Imabari), Motoki Nishihara (Shimizu S-Pulse), Yuto Ozeki (Kawasaki Frontale), Yotaro Nakajima (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Nick Schmidt (St. Pauli), Kosei Ogura (-), Katsuma Fuse (Tsukuba University).

Forwards: Soma Kanda (Kawasaki Frontale), Yutaka Michiwaki (SK Beveren), Aren Inoue (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hisatsugu Ishii (Shonan Bellmare), Sora Hiraga (Kyoto Sanga FC), Rento Takaoka (Valenciennes).

Japan U20 schedule in Group A