Japan

The Samurai Blue are Asia's benchmark program, built on technical precision, tactical discipline and a domestic development system that has become the envy of the continent. Japan's rapid rise since the 1990s reflects massive investment in youth football and the J.League, producing a steady export of players to Europe's top divisions. The team is consistently Asia's top-ranked and most feared World Cup entrant, known for upsetting traditional powers.

The Japan Football Association was founded in 1921, though the modern national team's ascent began with the J.League's launch in 1993. Japan has won the AFC Asian Cup a record four times — 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011 — more than any other nation. A regular at the World Cup since 1998, Japan has advanced to the knockout stage multiple times, including memorable group-stage wins over Germany and Spain at the 2022 tournament.