Who are the Japan players England should look out for?
Japan may not be considered a global footballing powerhouse - but underestimate them at your peril. The Samurai Blue, ranked 18th in the world, have never gone past the last 16 at a World Cup but stunned two giants in Qatar four years ago, with group-stage wins over Spain and Germany.
Japan may not be considered a global footballing powerhouse - but underestimate them at your peril. The Samurai Blue, ranked 18th in the world, have never gone past the last 16 at a World Cup but stunned two giants in Qatar four years ago, with group-stage wins over Spain and Germany. They ultimately fell to Croatia on penalties in the knockout stage but, with a wealth of talent at their disposal, could prove tricky opponents at this summer's World Cup in North America.
As part of their preparations Japan face England on Tuesday in a friendly after beating Scotland 1-0 , while the Three Lions played out a 1-1 stalemate against Uruguay on Friday. BBC Sport takes a look at the key players Thomas Tuchel's England need to watch out for. Mitoma joined Brighton from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale in 2021 Club: Brighton & Hove Albion Age: 28 Position: Winger Caps: 29 Kaoru Mitoma is a name familiar to Premier League fans and has impressed during his five years at Brighton, where he has made 130 appearances across all competitions scoring 26 goals and providing 21 assists.
Following a season-long loan at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, Mitoma enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2022-23 where he set the record for the most goals scored by a Japanese player in a single English top-flight season (seven). Mitoma has earned a reputation for spectacular goals and two of his 22 Premier League strikes earned him goal of the month awards. The winger represented Japan at the 2022 World Cup, coming on as a substitute in all four of their matches and scoring the winning goal in the stunning victory over Spain.
He did, however, also miss a penalty in the shootout as Japan were knocked out by Croatia in the last 16. Club: Crystal Palace Age: 29 Position: Midfielder Caps: 49 Another name familiar to Premier League fans, Daichi Kamada became Crystal Palace's first ever Japanese player when he signed for the club on a free in July 2024. A versatile playmaker, Kamada has been a mainstay in Oliver Glasner's side since his arrival in London, having also played under the Austrian at Eintracht Frankfurt.