Historic England win shows confident Japan can aim high at World Cup

Japan’s impressive 1–0 victory over England at Wembley has added weight to their growing reputation as genuine World Cup contenders, even if coach Hajime Moriyasu insisted it was “only a friendly.” Already the first nation to qualify from Asia and fresh off a 3–2 win over Brazil in October, Japan fully deserved their latest statement result.

Kaoru Mitoma’s calm first‑half finish handed England their first‑ever defeat to an Asian side, though Moriyasu noted that Thomas Tuchel’s team were missing Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka. Ranked 18th in the world, Japan face a demanding group featuring the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia, yet their recent trajectory suggests they have the tools to progress beyond the last sixteen for the first time. With Mitoma shining for Brighton, Daichi Kamada and Ao Tanaka offering Premier League experience, and Takefusa Kubo set to return from injury, Japan look increasingly equipped for a deep run in North America.