Above: Japan lines up for friendlies against Canada in December 2025. Image: JFA.
By Genevieve Henry and Alyce Collett (27/2/26).
The Japanese Women’s National Team, known as the Nadeshiko, are the team looking best positioned to win the 2026 Asian Cup. Drawn into Group C alongside Vietnam, India, and Chinese Taipei, Japan will compete in Perth throughout the group stage. While 2025 brought ups and downs for the team, Japan continues to be one of, if not the, best team in Asia.
Ranked 8th in the world— the highest of any Asian nation—Japan holds many impressive records continentally. But, while they are the only Asian team to ever win the World Cup, they have not found the same dominant success in the Asian Cup, winning just twice. The Nadeshiko are certainly able to add a third in the 2026 edition.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ayaka Yamashita (Manchester City), Chika Hirao (Granada), and Akane Okuma (INAC Kobe Leonessa).
Defenders: Saki Kumagai (London City Lionesses), Risa Shimizu (Liverpool), Miyabi Moriya (Utah Royals), Hikaru Kitagawa (Everton), Moeka Minami (Brighton and Hove ALbion), Hana Takahashi (Urawa Reds), Yuzuki Yamamoto (Tokyo Verdy Beleza), Rion Ishikawa (Everton), and Toko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Yui Narumiya (INAC Kobe Lionesses), Kiko Seike (Brighton and Hove Albion), Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), Honoka Hayashi (Everton), Fuka Nagano (Liverpool), Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United), Aoba Fujino (Manchester City), Maika Hamano (Tottenham Hotspur), Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage), and Momoko Tanikawa (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals), Remina Chiba (Eintracht Frankfurt), Riko Ueki (West Ham United), and Maya Hijikata (Aston Villa).
Head Coach:
Nils Nielsen has a storied history in international women’s football coaching. Having coached both Denmark and Switzerland before taking the reins for the Nadeshiko, he brings a different style to the tournament usually characterized by low blocks: utter domination.
The Dane garnered acclaim after leading Denmark to the final of the 2017 Women’s European Championship, finishing runners-up to The Netherlands. Nielsen, in turn, finished runner-up in the 2017 The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award. He spent one season as the Director of Women’s Football at Manchester City. He has been with Japan since December 2024.
Asian Cup History:
With more appearances than any other nation, Japan has an illustrious history at the Asian Cup, yet winning the continental tournament just twice. The Nadeshiko were victorious in 2014 and 2018, as well as runners-up four times, and third place six times.
How They Qualified:
Japan qualified automatically by finishing third place in the 2022 Asian Cup.
Strengths:
Japan is technically superior to most every country it faces. On a good day, the Nadeshiko can pick apart the likes of Spain and the United States. On a bad day, they’re still able to get results with the very best. Japan excels in and out of possession, with an admirable defensive structure leaving even the toughest of games with small scorelines. The players Japan has in defense — and all over the pitch — not only have significant experience playing together, but excellent club environments to keep their starting players and otherwise very sharp.
Development Areas:
After a strong start to 2025, Japan has posted a few unflattering results, including losses to Brazil, Spain, and Norway as well as ties with Asian competitors China and South Korea. Japan has individual technical skills within their squad, but team cohesion and spirit may need to overcome some challenges as they look for another title.
Key Players:
Yui Hasegawa is one of the very best midfielders in the world. Currently leading Manchester City to what looks like it will be their first WSL title in ten years, the 29-year old midfielder is a magician for club and country. Her vision and workrate combine in the middle of the park to great reward, creating chances and notching up assists left and right. Hasegawa is likely to be one of the most influential players at this tournament and stopping her is a mammoth task.
Saki Kumagai anchors the defence and team with her experience and technical knowledge. The 35-year old has 163 caps for Japan — the only member of the squad with more than 100 — and puts those years of defensive work to good use. Kumagai has played for the best clubs in the world, including prime Olympique Lyonnais from 2013-2021 and Bayern Munich from 2021-2023. Her positioning and leadership is critical in organizing Japan’s highly structured back line.
Although Mina Tanaka may be small in stature, the 31-year old forward manages to be a terrifying presence in front of goal. In fact, she uses her size and agility to weave in and about opposing defenders and pop up for the most critical of goals. Tanaka could make her 100th appearance for Japan at the Asian Cup, resting on 95 caps with 44 goals. She plays for the Utah Royals in the NWSL.
One to Watch:
Section by Alyce Collett
Manaka Matsukubo is a young midfielder who is only just starting her senior international career, but anyone who has watched the NWSL in the last year or so would know how much of an impact she can already make.
The 20 year old has a knack for navigating her way through crowded central midfield areas and getting into really dangerous areas from a scoring perspective in front of goal.
Success Would Be:
Nothing less than winning should suffice for Japan in their current form. While qualifying for the World Cup would be the minimum, winning is certainly within reach for Nadeshiko.
Prediction:
Japan should win the Asian Cup. With players in top leagues all over the world and consistently solid tactics, the Nadeshiko have the tools to add another trophy to their cabinet.
Fixtures:
4th March — Japan vs Chinese Taipei, 1pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium
7th March — India vs Japan, 7pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium
10th March — Japan vs Vietnam, 5pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium
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