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Japan have mapped out a plan to win the World Cup ...
Key takeaways
- In 2005, with two World Cup appearances now under their belt, the Japan Football Association brought forward the timeline: 2050 was now the target.
- The Samurai Blue have now featured at every World Cup since their debut in 1998; the 2026 edition will be their eighth consecutive appearance.
- All signs are pointing towards a team that is firmly on the right trajectory -- but how close could Japan get in 2026?
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
In 2005, with two World Cup appearances now under their belt, the Japan Football Association brought forward the timeline: 2050 was now the target.
The Samurai Blue have now featured at every World Cup since their debut in 1998; the 2026 edition will be their eighth consecutive appearance. They have not dropped out of the top 20 in the world rankings since 2023, and are capable of naming an entire 26-man squad of Europe-based players if they wished to, with plenty more on the periphery.
All signs are pointing towards a team that is firmly on the right trajectory -- but how close could Japan get in 2026?
Article preview — originally published by ESPN. Full story at the source.
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