Post-qualification hangover immediately offers areas of improvement for Japan
Japan want to win the World Cup. Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia should tell them what they need to get there.
With qualification in the bag, quest to win World Cup now begins for Japan
Japan are the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their attention is now on winning it.
Unstoppable Samurai Blue: Reliving Japan's charge to the 2026 World Cup
Japan are the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Here's how they did so -- in sheer dominant fashion.
Familiar arena looms as venue for Endō's next big achievement: World Cup-qualifying captain
On a familar ground, Wataru Endō's next achievement could just come in the form of a World Cup-qualifying captain.
Maiden ACL Elite Finals draw delivers East-West clashes with zonal segregation removed
The draw for the inaugural AFC Champions League Elite Finals was held on Monday and delivered tantalising East-West ties.
Sailors capitalise on reprieve to hold off Sanfrecce and match historic feat
Lion City Sailors are through to the AFC Champions League Two semifinals after holding off Sanfrecce Hiroshima.d
Unexpected twist leaves Sailors, Sanfrecce poised to deliver thriller
Lion City Sailors and Sanfrecce Hiroshima meet once more after an unexpected twist turned the tie around.
Sailors handed ACL Two lifeline over Sanfrecce fielding suspended player
Lion City Sailors have been awarded a 3-0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals.
Sailors dared to dream for a moment -- then Sanfrecce turned it into a nightmare
Lion City Sailors gave themselves reason to dream for a bit. Then Sanfrecce Hiroshima showed no mercy.
Who are the knockout round contenders in the AFC Champions League Elite?
With the ACL Elite knockout round getting underway, we take a look at the 16 contenders still in the running.
Sanfrecce lay down a marker but are Vissel still the team to beat in J1 League?
Sanfrecce Hiroshima have started 2025 on a high -- but are Vissel Kobe still the team to beat in the J1 League?
Japan's ACL Elite dominance continues as Vissel, Marinos and Frontale advance
Japanese football is dominating the East Region of the AFC Champions League Elite with all three clubs marching on.
J1 League down to the wire with three teams a chance to become final-day champions
The J1 League will crown its 2024 champions this weekend with three teams still a chance of winning it.
Who are the standouts at the halfway mark of the ACL Elite league stage?
With the ACL Elite league stage at its halfway mark, we look at the teams that have shone the brightest so far.
How close are Japan to Moriyasu's bold target of winning the World Cup?
Hajime Moriyasu has said Japan's goal is not to reach the World Cup but to win it. Are they a realistic chance?
In Ueda's absence, Ogawa issues legitimate claim as Japan's alternative spearhead
With Ayase Ueda absent, Kōki Ogawa took his chance to lead the Japan attack with both hands this past week.
Indonesia given brutal reminder of gulf in class that still exists as Japan run riot
For the first time in the third round of Asian qualifiers, Indonesia were given a reality check by Japan.
Will Yuma Suzuki be the best Japanese striker to never play for the Samurai Blue?
Yuma Suzuki's record speaks for itself yet he continues to be overlooked by Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu.
Who do Japan turn to in order to fill massive Ayase Ueda void?
With Ayase Ueda sidelined, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will have a huge void to fill in the upcoming Asian qualifiers.
Vissel's new two-pronged attack could deliver in pivotal final month of 2024
Vissel Kobe's switch to a two-man strike force could just reap huge rewards in the final month of their 2024 campaign.
From a sense of adventure, Arslan somehow finds himself leading Sanfrecce's title charge
Tolgay Arslan's career has been full of adventures. His latest could just see him win the J.League with Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
When Tolgay met Sonny: Arslan recounts friendship with Tottenham and South Korea star (4:25)
Japan nearly masters of their own downfall but quality in reserve comes to the rescue
Japan nearly contrived to lose to Australia but had too much quality waiting in the wings to be defeated.
Amid the unpredictability of the Asian qualifiers, the only certainty is a Japan triumph
Japan continue to march on in the Asian qualifiers, this time comfortably winning a heavyweight clash with Saudi Arabia.
Flawless Japan face pivotal week in with Saudi Arabia, Australia lying in wait
Japan's march to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will meet two major hurdles in Saudi Arabia and Australia over the next week.
Japanese J1 League Ladder
| TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machida Zelvia | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | +4 | 17 |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +4 | 17 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | +9 | 16 |
| Kashima Antlers | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | +7 | 16 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 16 |
| Avispa Fukuoka | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | +2 | 16 |
| Kyoto Sanga | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 15 |
| Fagiano Okayama | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | +3 | 14 |
| Shonan Bellmare | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | -2 | 14 |
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | +1 | 11 |
| Yokohama FC | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -1 | 10 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | -2 | 10 |
| Tokyo Verdy 1969 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | -4 | 10 |
| Gamba Osaka | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -6 | 10 |
| Cerezo Osaka | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 9 |
| Vissel Kobe | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -1 | 9 |
| Yokohama F. Marinos | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 | -2 | 8 |
| FC Tokyo | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -5 | 8 |
| Nagoya Grampus | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -6 | 8 |
| Albirex Niigata | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | -4 | 7 |