Japan at the FIFA World Cup
Updated: 12/11/2025, 12:52:53 PM Wikipedia source
Japan have appeared in the FIFA World Cup on seven occasions, the first being in 1998 where they lost all three group games and finished in 31st position. Masashi Nakayama scored Japan's first ever goal in a World Cup match against Jamaica on 26 June 1998 in a 2–1 defeat. Keisuke Honda became the first Japanese player to score in three World Cups: 2010, 2014, 2018. Japan made their seventh and most recent appearance at the finals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. In 2018, Japan became the first ever Asian nation to beat a side from South America, after they won 2–1 against Colombia in the group stage. The team has progressed past the group stage on four occasions, 2002 (as joint-hosts), 2010, 2018 and 2022.
Tables
· FIFA World Cup record
Year
Year
FIFA World Cup record
Year
FIFA World Cup record
Result
FIFA World Cup record
Position
FIFA World Cup record
Pld
FIFA World Cup record
W
FIFA World Cup record
D
FIFA World Cup record
L
FIFA World Cup record
GF
FIFA World Cup record
GA
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
Col 11
Pld
Qualification record
W
Qualification record
D
Qualification record
L
Qualification record
GF
Qualification record
GA
1930
1930
FIFA World Cup record
1930
FIFA World Cup record
Withdrew
FIFA World Cup record
Qualified as invitees
1934
1934
FIFA World Cup record
1934
FIFA World Cup record
Did not enter
FIFA World Cup record
Did not enter
1938
1938
FIFA World Cup record
1938
FIFA World Cup record
Withdrew
FIFA World Cup record
Withdrew
1950
1950
FIFA World Cup record
1950
FIFA World Cup record
Suspended from FIFA
FIFA World Cup record
Suspended from FIFA
1954
1954
FIFA World Cup record
1954
FIFA World Cup record
Did not qualify
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
7
1958
1958
FIFA World Cup record
1958
FIFA World Cup record
Did not enter
FIFA World Cup record
Did not enter
1962
1962
FIFA World Cup record
1962
FIFA World Cup record
Did not qualify
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
4
1966
1966
FIFA World Cup record
1966
FIFA World Cup record
Did not enter
FIFA World Cup record
Did not enter
1970
1970
FIFA World Cup record
1970
FIFA World Cup record
Did not qualify
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
8
1974
1974
FIFA World Cup record
1974
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
5
FIFA World Cup record
4
1978
1978
FIFA World Cup record
1978
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
5
1982
1982
FIFA World Cup record
1982
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
2
1986
1986
FIFA World Cup record
1986
FIFA World Cup record
8
FIFA World Cup record
5
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
15
FIFA World Cup record
5
1990
1990
FIFA World Cup record
1990
FIFA World Cup record
6
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
7
FIFA World Cup record
3
1994
1994
FIFA World Cup record
1994
FIFA World Cup record
13
FIFA World Cup record
9
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
35
FIFA World Cup record
6
1998
1998
FIFA World Cup record
1998
FIFA World Cup record
Group stage
FIFA World Cup record
31st
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
Col 11
15
Qualification record
9
Qualification record
5
Qualification record
1
Qualification record
51
Qualification record
12
2002
2002
FIFA World Cup record
2002
FIFA World Cup record
Round of 16
FIFA World Cup record
9th
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
5
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
Col 11
Qualified as co-hosts
2006
2006
FIFA World Cup record
2006
FIFA World Cup record
Group stage
FIFA World Cup record
28th
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
7
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
Col 11
12
Qualification record
11
Qualification record
0
Qualification record
1
Qualification record
25
Qualification record
5
2010
2010
FIFA World Cup record
2010
FIFA World Cup record
Round of 16
FIFA World Cup record
9th
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
Col 11
14
Qualification record
8
Qualification record
4
Qualification record
2
Qualification record
23
Qualification record
9
2014
2014
FIFA World Cup record
2014
FIFA World Cup record
Group stage
FIFA World Cup record
29th
FIFA World Cup record
3
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
6
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
Col 11
14
Qualification record
8
Qualification record
3
Qualification record
3
Qualification record
30
Qualification record
8
2018
2018
FIFA World Cup record
2018
FIFA World Cup record
Round of 16
FIFA World Cup record
15th
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
6
FIFA World Cup record
7
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
Col 11
18
Qualification record
13
Qualification record
3
Qualification record
2
Qualification record
44
Qualification record
7
2022
2022
FIFA World Cup record
2022
FIFA World Cup record
9th
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
1
FIFA World Cup record
5
FIFA World Cup record
4
FIFA World Cup record
Squad
FIFA World Cup record
18
Col 11
15
Qualification record
1
Qualification record
2
Qualification record
58
Qualification record
6
2026
2026
FIFA World Cup record
2026
FIFA World Cup record
Qualified
FIFA World Cup record
14
FIFA World Cup record
12
FIFA World Cup record
2
FIFA World Cup record
0
FIFA World Cup record
48
FIFA World Cup record
2
2030
2030
FIFA World Cup record
2030
FIFA World Cup record
To be determined
FIFA World Cup record
To be determined
2034
2034
FIFA World Cup record
2034
Total
Total
FIFA World Cup record
Total
FIFA World Cup record
Round of 16
FIFA World Cup record
mw- 8/23
FIFA World Cup record
25
FIFA World Cup record
7
FIFA World Cup record
6
FIFA World Cup record
12
FIFA World Cup record
25
FIFA World Cup record
33
FIFA World Cup record
—
Qualification record
152
Qualification record
95
Qualification record
29
Qualification record
28
Qualification record
353
Qualification record
93
| FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1930 | Withdrew | Qualified as invitees | ||||||||||||||
| 1934 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1938 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
| 1950 | Suspended from FIFA | Suspended from FIFA | ||||||||||||||
| 1954 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | |||||||||
| 1958 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1962 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
| 1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1970 | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | |||||||||
| 1974 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||||
| 1978 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 1982 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 1986 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 1990 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 1994 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 35 | 6 | ||||||||||
| 1998 | Group stage | 31st | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Squad | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 51 | 12 | |
| 2002 | Round of 16 | 9th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | Squad | Qualified as co-hosts | ||||||
| 2006 | Group stage | 28th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Squad | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2010 | Round of 16 | 9th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | Squad | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 9 | |
| 2014 | Group stage | 29th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 30 | 8 | |
| 2018 | Round of 16 | 15th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | Squad | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 44 | 7 | |
| 2022 | 9th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Squad | 18 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 58 | 6 | ||
| 2026 | Qualified | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 2 | |||||||||
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| 2034 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | Round of 16 | mw- 8/23 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 25 | 33 | — | 152 | 95 | 29 | 28 | 353 | 93 | |
· FIFA World Cup record › By match
1998
1998
World Cup
1998
Round
Group H
Opponent
Argentina
Score
0–1
Result
L
Croatia
Croatia
World Cup
Croatia
Round
0–1
Opponent
L
Jamaica
Jamaica
World Cup
Jamaica
Round
1–2
Opponent
L
Score
Nakayama
2002
2002
World Cup
2002
Round
Group H
Opponent
Belgium
Score
2–2
Result
D
Japan goalscorers
Suzuki, Inamoto
Russia
Russia
World Cup
Russia
Round
1–0
Opponent
W
Score
Inamoto
Tunisia
Tunisia
World Cup
Tunisia
Round
2–0
Opponent
W
Score
Morishima, H. Nakata
Round of 16
Round of 16
World Cup
Round of 16
Round
Turkey
Opponent
0–1
Score
L
2006
2006
World Cup
2006
Round
Group F
Opponent
Australia
Score
1–3
Result
L
Japan goalscorers
Nakamura
Croatia
Croatia
World Cup
Croatia
Round
0–0
Opponent
D
Brazil
Brazil
World Cup
Brazil
Round
1–4
Opponent
L
Score
Tamada
2010
2010
World Cup
2010
Round
Group E
Opponent
Cameroon
Score
1–0
Result
W
Japan goalscorers
Honda
Netherlands
Netherlands
World Cup
Netherlands
Round
0–1
Opponent
L
Denmark
Denmark
World Cup
Denmark
Round
3–1
Opponent
W
Score
Honda, Endō, Okazaki
Round of 16
Round of 16
World Cup
Round of 16
Round
Paraguay
Opponent
0–0 (a.e.t.)(3–5 p)
Score
D
2014
2014
World Cup
2014
Round
Group C
Opponent
Ivory Coast
Score
1–2
Result
L
Japan goalscorers
Honda
Greece
Greece
World Cup
Greece
Round
0–0
Opponent
D
Colombia
Colombia
World Cup
Colombia
Round
1–4
Opponent
L
Score
Okazaki
2018
2018
World Cup
2018
Round
Group H
Opponent
Colombia
Score
2–1
Result
W
Japan goalscorers
Kagawa, Osako
Senegal
Senegal
World Cup
Senegal
Round
2–2
Opponent
D
Score
Inui, Honda
Poland
Poland
World Cup
Poland
Round
0–1
Opponent
L
Round of 16
Round of 16
World Cup
Round of 16
Round
Belgium
Opponent
2–3
Score
L
Result
Haraguchi, Inui
2022
2022
World Cup
2022
Round
Group E
Opponent
Germany
Score
2–1
Result
W
Japan goalscorers
Dōan, Asano
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
World Cup
Costa Rica
Round
0–1
Opponent
L
Spain
Spain
World Cup
Spain
Round
2–1
Opponent
W
Score
Dōan, Tanaka
Round of 16
Round of 16
World Cup
Round of 16
Round
Croatia
Opponent
1–1 (a.e.t.)(1–3 p)
Score
D
Result
Maeda
| World Cup | Round | Opponent | Score | Result | Japan goalscorers |
| 1998 | Group H | Argentina | 0–1 | L | |
| Croatia | 0–1 | L | |||
| Jamaica | 1–2 | L | Nakayama | ||
| 2002 | Group H | Belgium | 2–2 | D | Suzuki, Inamoto |
| Russia | 1–0 | W | Inamoto | ||
| Tunisia | 2–0 | W | Morishima, H. Nakata | ||
| Round of 16 | Turkey | 0–1 | L | ||
| 2006 | Group F | Australia | 1–3 | L | Nakamura |
| Croatia | 0–0 | D | |||
| Brazil | 1–4 | L | Tamada | ||
| 2010 | Group E | Cameroon | 1–0 | W | Honda |
| Netherlands | 0–1 | L | |||
| Denmark | 3–1 | W | Honda, Endō, Okazaki | ||
| Round of 16 | Paraguay | 0–0 (a.e.t.)(3–5 p) | D | ||
| 2014 | Group C | Ivory Coast | 1–2 | L | Honda |
| Greece | 0–0 | D | |||
| Colombia | 1–4 | L | Okazaki | ||
| 2018 | Group H | Colombia | 2–1 | W | Kagawa, Osako |
| Senegal | 2–2 | D | Inui, Honda | ||
| Poland | 0–1 | L | |||
| Round of 16 | Belgium | 2–3 | L | Haraguchi, Inui | |
| 2022 | Group E | Germany | 2–1 | W | Dōan, Asano |
| Costa Rica | 0–1 | L | |||
| Spain | 2–1 | W | Dōan, Tanaka | ||
| Round of 16 | Croatia | 1–1 (a.e.t.)(1–3 p) | D | Maeda |
· Head-to-head record
Argentina
Argentina
Opponent
Argentina
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
1
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Australia
Australia
Opponent
Australia
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
1
GA
3
GD
−2
Win %
000.00
Belgium
Belgium
Opponent
Belgium
Pld
2
W
0
D
1
L
1
GF
4
GA
5
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Brazil
Brazil
Opponent
Brazil
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
1
GA
4
GD
−3
Win %
000.00
Cameroon
Cameroon
Opponent
Cameroon
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
1
GA
0
GD
+1
Win %
100.00
Colombia
Colombia
Opponent
Colombia
Pld
2
W
1
D
0
L
1
GF
3
GA
5
GD
−2
Win %
050.00
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Opponent
Costa Rica
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
1
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Croatia
Croatia
Opponent
Croatia
Pld
3
W
0
D
2
L
1
GF
1
GA
2
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Denmark
Denmark
Opponent
Denmark
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
3
GA
1
GD
+2
Win %
100.00
Germany
Germany
Opponent
Germany
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
2
GA
1
GD
+1
Win %
100.00
Greece
Greece
Opponent
Greece
Pld
1
W
0
D
1
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
+0
Win %
000.00
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast
Opponent
Ivory Coast
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
1
GA
2
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Jamaica
Jamaica
Opponent
Jamaica
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
1
GA
2
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Netherlands
Netherlands
Opponent
Netherlands
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
1
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Paraguay
Paraguay
Opponent
Paraguay
Pld
1
W
0
D
1
L
0
GF
0
GA
0
GD
+0
Win %
000.00
Poland
Poland
Opponent
Poland
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
1
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Russia
Russia
Opponent
Russia
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
1
GA
0
GD
+1
Win %
100.00
Senegal
Senegal
Opponent
Senegal
Pld
1
W
0
D
1
L
0
GF
2
GA
2
GD
+0
Win %
000.00
Spain
Spain
Opponent
Spain
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
2
GA
1
GD
+1
Win %
100.00
Tunisia
Tunisia
Opponent
Tunisia
Pld
1
W
1
D
0
L
0
GF
2
GA
0
GD
+2
Win %
100.00
Turkey
Turkey
Opponent
Turkey
Pld
1
W
0
D
0
L
1
GF
0
GA
1
GD
−1
Win %
000.00
Total
Total
Opponent
Total
Pld
25
W
7
D
6
L
12
GF
25
GA
33
GD
−8
Win %
028.00
| Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| Argentina | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 000.00 |
| Belgium | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 000.00 |
| Cameroon | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Colombia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 050.00 |
| Costa Rica | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Croatia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Denmark | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
| Germany | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Greece | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 000.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Jamaica | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Paraguay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 000.00 |
| Poland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Russia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Senegal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 000.00 |
| Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Tunisia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
| Turkey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 000.00 |
| Total | 25 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 25 | 33 | −8 | 028.00 |
· Record players
1
1
Rank
1
Player
Yuto Nagatomo
Matches
15
World Cups
2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022
2
2
Rank
2
Player
Makoto Hasebe
Matches
11
World Cups
2010, 2014 and 2018
Eiji Kawashima
Eiji Kawashima
Rank
Eiji Kawashima
Player
11
Matches
2010, 2014 and 2018
Maya Yoshida
Maya Yoshida
Rank
Maya Yoshida
Player
11
Matches
2014, 2018 and 2022
5
5
Rank
5
Player
Hidetoshi Nakata
Matches
10
World Cups
1998, 2002 and 2006
Shinji Okazaki
Shinji Okazaki
Rank
Shinji Okazaki
Player
10
Matches
2010, 2014 and 2018
Keisuke Honda
Keisuke Honda
Rank
Keisuke Honda
Player
10
Matches
2010, 2014 and 2018
8
8
Rank
8
Player
Junichi Inamoto
Matches
8
World Cups
2002, 2006 and 2010
9
9
Rank
9
Player
Yuji Nakazawa
Matches
7
World Cups
2006 and 2010
Yoshito Ōkubo
Yoshito Ōkubo
Rank
Yoshito Ōkubo
Player
7
Matches
2010 and 2014
| Rank | Player | Matches | World Cups |
| 1 | Yuto Nagatomo | 15 | 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 |
| 2 | Makoto Hasebe | 11 | 2010, 2014 and 2018 |
| Eiji Kawashima | 11 | 2010, 2014 and 2018 | |
| Maya Yoshida | 11 | 2014, 2018 and 2022 | |
| 5 | Hidetoshi Nakata | 10 | 1998, 2002 and 2006 |
| Shinji Okazaki | 10 | 2010, 2014 and 2018 | |
| Keisuke Honda | 10 | 2010, 2014 and 2018 | |
| 8 | Junichi Inamoto | 8 | 2002, 2006 and 2010 |
| 9 | Yuji Nakazawa | 7 | 2006 and 2010 |
| Yoshito Ōkubo | 7 | 2010 and 2014 |
· Top goalscorers
1
1
Rank
1
Player
Keisuke Honda
Goals
4
World Cups
2010 (2), 2014 (1), and 2018 (1)
2
2
Rank
2
Player
Junichi Inamoto
Goals
2
World Cups
2002
Shinji Okazaki
Shinji Okazaki
Rank
Shinji Okazaki
Player
2
Goals
2010 and 2014
Takashi Inui
Takashi Inui
Rank
Takashi Inui
Player
2
Goals
2018
Ritsu Doan
Ritsu Doan
Rank
Ritsu Doan
Player
2
Goals
2022
| Rank | Player | Goals | World Cups |
| 1 | Keisuke Honda | 4 | 2010 (2), 2014 (1), and 2018 (1) |
| 2 | Junichi Inamoto | 2 | 2002 |
| Shinji Okazaki | 2 | 2010 and 2014 | |
| Takashi Inui | 2 | 2018 | |
| Ritsu Doan | 2 | 2022 |