FIFA World Cup: 'We are more confident as a team', says winger Kubo as he eyes historic run for Japan
Tokyo, June 4
Japan winger Takefusa Kubo believes the lessons learned from the team's heartbreaking FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 exit can help them finally break new ground and reach the quarter-finals at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Kubo, who was the youngest member of Japan's squad in Qatar at 21, played a role in one of the nation's most memorable World Cup campaigns as the Samurai Blue stunned former champions Germany and Spain before bowing out to Croatia in the Round of 16 on penalties.
Now 25, the Real Sociedad star is expected to be one of the leaders of a Japanese side that secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup in impressive fashion and became the first nation to book its place at the tournament after the hosts.
Reflecting on Japan's growth since Qatar, Kubo said the team's confidence has risen significantly during the qualifying campaign.
"It was around the fourth or fifth match of the Asian qualifiers. We'd built up a lead of about six points, and it brought home for me how good we'd become. I feel like we've become more confident. It's not just the results, but also how we've played and how cohesive we are as a team," Kubo told FIFA.
Despite the success in Qatar, Kubo admitted the defeat to Croatia remains a painful memory and believes the match was lost long before the penalty shootout.
"That game really showed me how difficult it is to change history. Whether it was our intensity in the match or minor details that we didn't get right, we definitely realised that we were missing something. The record books show that we lost on penalties, but I think there was a lot we could have done better in the 120 minutes that came before that," he said.
Japan have never advanced beyond the Round of 16 at a World Cup, and Kubo believes attention to detail will be crucial if they are to overcome that barrier in North America next year.
"At the World Cup, matches are decided by small margins. I think it's really important to deal with every aspect of the game as thoroughly as possible," he said.
The midfielder also highlighted the growing confidence within the squad, many of whom now play in top European leagues.
"We change our tactical approach based on who we're playing, but mentally, we approach games the same way. Naturally, we always respect our opponent, but at the same time, we believe that we are fully capable of winning," Kubo said.
Japan is placed in Group F in the FIFA World Cup 2026. They will face the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden in the first round.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Kubo is right about the small margins. In our own cricket matches or any sport, it's those little details that separate winners from losers. Japan's rise is inspiring for Asian football. I hope India can one day reach this level of competitiveness on the world stage. 🙏
Japan's journey is remarkable. From being giant-killers to becoming a team that expects to win against top sides. Their group with Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden looks manageable but tricky. Can they finally break the Round of 16 curse? I think they have a real shot this time.
Love Kubo's honesty about the Croatia loss. He's not making excuses but acknowledging mistakes. That self-awareness is what makes great players. Japan has so many players in top European leagues now, which can only help their development. Excited to see what they do in 2026!
As someone who follows Asian football closely, Japan's consistency is unmatched. Their 2022 campaign was breathtaking - beating two former champions! But I think they need to work on their finishing against defensive teams like Croatia. If they can fix that, quarter-finals are definitely possible.
It's great to see Asian teams doing well. Japan's mental strength is something we in India can admire - they never give up even against bigger teams. Kubo's statement about respecting opponents but believing in winning is a good mindset. Wishing them all the best for 2026! 💫
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