Source: REUTERS/Kacper Pempel
[Saba Sports News] Next year marks the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with the third stage of the qualifiers currently ongoing. Recently, Japan national team coach Hajime Moriyasu expressed his hopes for the World Cup in a media interview, stating: “Although the chances are still small, our goal is to win the World Cup as early as 2026. Together with everyone here, we will work hard with Japan to elevate ourselves and become a contender for the World Cup.” He believes that with the current younger generation and strategic vision, the Japan team has the potential to create a new history for Japanese football in the near future. It is noted that the Japan national team has indeed had several impressive performances on the international stage in recent years, but has yet to reach the heights of a World Cup championship. The team needs to continue evolving, enhancing their decisive capabilities and squad depth to increase tactical options, discover and nurture more potential young players, and improve the skills and tactical levels of existing players.