Arlington [US], June 4 (ANI): Japanese midfielder Takefusa Kubo believes Japan have grown right into a extra assured facet because the disappointing conclusion of their earlier FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 marketing campaign, as they put together for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kubo, at simply 21 years outdated, was the youngest participant in Japan’s squad on the 2022 WC. He performed a task in a historic marketing campaign that noticed Japan stun European powerhouses Germany and Spain, earlier than their outstanding run resulted in a heartbreaking penalty-shootout defeat to Croatia.
Four years later, Takefusa Kubo now carries higher duty as Japan prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Since the World Cup in Qatar, Japan have continued to impress, delivering sturdy performances within the Asian qualifiers and changing into the primary nation to safe qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in line with the FIFA web site.
Kubo himself acknowledged the transformation the staff has undergone all through the qualifying marketing campaign.
Kubo mentioned Japan realized their rising power across the center of the Asian qualifying marketing campaign when the staff established a snug lead within the standings. He believes the squad has grow to be extra assured, crediting not solely their optimistic outcomes but additionally their improved performances and stronger staff unity.
‘It was across the fourth or fifth match of the Asian qualifiers. We’d constructed up a lead of about six factors, and it introduced house for me how good we would grow to be. I really feel like we have grow to be extra assured. It’s not simply the outcomes, but additionally how we have performed and the way cohesive we’re as a staff,’ Kubo mentioned as quoted by the FIFA web site.
Japan’s newfound confidence has emerged from the teachings realized in Qatar. Despite their spectacular performances, Japan’s marketing campaign resulted in acquainted disappointment, as they as soon as once more fell wanting reaching the World Cup quarter-finals. The defeat to Croatia marked one other irritating Round of 16 exit, extending Japan’s lengthy anticipate a spot within the final eight of the match.
Kubo mentioned Japan’s defeat to Croatia highlighted how troublesome it’s to make historical past on the World Cup. While the match was finally determined by penalties, he believes the staff’s shortcomings throughout the 120 minutes of play–including points of their depth and a spotlight to detail–were the actual causes they fell brief.
‘That sport actually confirmed me how troublesome it’s to alter historical past. Whether it was our depth within the match or minor particulars that we did not get proper, we undoubtedly realised that we had been lacking one thing. The document books present that we misplaced on penalties, however I believe there was so much we might have achieved higher within the 120 minutes that got here earlier than that,’ he mentioned.
‘At the World Cup, matches are determined by small margins. I believe it is actually vital to take care of each side of the sport as completely as doable.’ Kubo mentioned.
Kubo defined that Japan modify their ways relying on the opposition however retains the identical psychological strategy in each match. He added that whereas the staff respects all opponents, in addition they have a powerful perception of their capability to win towards anybody.
‘We change our tactical strategy based mostly on who we’re taking part in, however mentally, we strategy video games the identical means. Naturally, we all the time respect our opponent, however on the similar time, we imagine that we’re totally able to successful,’ he mentioned.
Japan’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and group
14 June: Netherlands vs Japan – Dallas Stadium
20 June: Tunisia vs Japan – Monterrey Stadium
25 June: Japan vs Sweden – Dallas Stadium
Japan’s 2026 World Cup squad
Goalkeepers
Tomoki HayakawaKeisuke OsakoZion Suzuki
Defenders
Ko ItakuraHiroki ItoYuto NagatomoAyumu SekoYukinari SugawaraJunnosuke SuzukiShogo TaniguchiTakehiro TomiyasuTsuyoshi Watanabe
Midfielders
Ritsu DoanWataru EndoJunya ItoDaichi KamadaTakefusa KuboKeito NakamuraKaishu SanoAo Tanaka
Forwards
Keisuke GotoDaizen MaedaKoki OgawaKento ShiogaiYuito SuzukiAyase Ueda. (ANI)