Japan national under-20 football team

Japan Under-20
Nickname(s)	サムライ・ブルー ; (Samurai Blue)
Association	JFA
Confederation	AFC
Sub-confederation	EAFF
Head coach	Yuzo Funakoshi
Most caps	Koki Ogawa (36)
Top scorer	Koki Ogawa (23)
FIFA code	JPN
First colours	Second colours
First international
	Japan 4–0 Singapore ; (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 19 April 1959)
Biggest win
	Japan 26–0 Guam ; (Bangkok, Thailand; 31 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
	Malaysia 6–0 Japan ; (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 22 April 1959)
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Appearances	12 (first in 1979)
Best result	Runners-up (1999)
AFC U-20 Asian Cup
Appearances	39 (first in 1959)
Best result	Champions (2016)

The Japan national under-20 football team (Japanese: U-20サッカー日本代表) is a national association football team of Japan and is controlled by the Japan Football Association. The year before the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the national team is renamed the Japan national under-19 football team, and the year before that, the national team is renamed the Japan national under-18 football team.

Results and fixtures

Legend

Win Draw Lose Fixture

2025

U-20

7 February Friendly	Japan	2–1	Australia	Chiba
18:50 UTC+9	Sato 11', 18'		Jovanovic 39'	Stadium: JFA YUME Field

14 February 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup GS	Japan	3–0	Thailand	Shenzhen, China
17:15 UTC+8	Ishii 14' Ichihara 33' (pen.) Sato 69'	Report		Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 184 Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Rowaily (Qatar)

17 February 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup GS	Syria	2–2	Japan	Shenzhen, China
15:00 UTC+8	Al-Mustafa 10' Soufi 33'	Report	Ozeki 24' Takaoka 85'	Stadium: Longhua Cultural and Sports Center Attendance: 468 Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)

20 February 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup GS	Japan	1–1	South Korea	Shenzhen, China
15:00 UTC+8	Kanda 28'	Report	Kim Tae-won 90+1'	Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 277 Referee: Thoriq Alkatiri (Indonesia)

23 February 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup QF	Iran	1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p)	Japan	Shenzhen, China
19:30 UTC+8	Ghandipour 5'	Report	Ogura 30'	Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 1,826 Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)
	Penalties
	Aali Shahrabadi Shakouri Hassani Andarz		Nakajima Takaoka Takahashi Sato Ichihara

26 February 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup SF	Australia	2–0	Japan	Shenzhen, China
19:30 UTC+8	Toure 49' Pearman 67'	Report		Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 1,363 Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Rowaily (Qatar)

20 March Friendly	France	1–3	Japan	Benidorm, Spain
16:00 UTC+1	Kroupi 13'	Report	Goto 24', 56' Ishii 35'	Stadium: Estadio Municipal Guillermo Amor

24 March Friendly	Japan	1–1	United States	Benidorm, Spain
17:00 UTC+1	Ozeki 23'	Report	Tsakiris 55'	Stadium: Estadio Municipal Guillermo Amor

4 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS	Congo	0–2	Japan	Fos-sur-Mer, France
14:00 UTC+2		Report	Kanda 56', 58'	Stadium: Stade Parsemain Referee: Khaled Al-Ahmari (Saudi Arabia)

7 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS	Japan	1–1 (3–4 p)	Mexico	Avignon, France
14:00 UTC+2	Nishihara 32'	Report	Camberos 71'	Stadium: Parc des Sports Referee: Alexandra Collin (France)
	Penalties
	Michiwaki Ozeki Hiraga Ishiwatari Ichihara		Padilla Jurado Virgen Jiménez Camberos

10 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS	Denmark	3–0	Japan	Aubagne, France
14:00 UTC+2	Obi 5' Nakamura 78' (o.g.) Simmelhack 85'	Report		Stadium: Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny Referee: Alexandra Collin (France)

14 June Maurice Revello Tournament 5th p.p.	Mali	3–2	Japan	Noves, France
17:00 UTC+2	Sidibé 11' Thiero 31' Makalou 60'		Mori 51' Ishii 86'	Stadium: Stade du Moulin Referee: Khaled Al-Ahmari (Saudi Arabia)

27 September FIFA U-20 World Cup	Japan	v	Egypt	Santiago, Chile
17:00 UTC−3		Report		Stadium: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos

30 September FIFA U-20 World Cup	Chile	v	Japan	Santiago, Chile
20:00 UTC−3		Report		Stadium: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos

3 October FIFA U-20 World Cup	New Zealand	v	Japan	Valparaíso, Chile
20:00 UTC−3		Report		Stadium: Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander

Fixtures & Results (U-20 2025), JFA.jp

U-18

1 June UEFA Friendship Cup GS	Portugal	1–1 (3–4 p)	Japan	Nyon, Switzerland
16:00 UTC+2	Flávio Gonçalves 34' (pen.)		Nakayama 64'	Stadium: Colovray Sports Centre Referee: Maxime Odiet (Switzerland)

4 June UEFA Friendship Cup GS	Japan	3–3 (1–3 p)	Senegal	Nyon, Switzerland
16:00 UTC+2	Onishi 8' Tanaka 15' Nakatsumi 28'		Kandé 27' Cissé 55' Sy 63'	Stadium: Colovray Sports Centre Referee: Jonathan Jaussi (Switzerland)

7 June UEFA Friendship Cup GS	Japan	4–1	Uruguay	Nyon, Switzerland
10:30 UTC+2	? 18' (o.g.) Wada 70' Onishi 80' Nakayama 83'	Report	Domínguez 86'	Stadium: Colovray Sports Centre

10 June UEFA Friendship Cup 3rd place match	France	3–0	Japan	Nyon, Switzerland
14:00 UTC+2	Coulibaly 21' Bakola 69' Vaz 82'	Report		Stadium: Colovray Sports Centre

Fixtures & Results (U-18 2025), JFA.jp

2024

U-19

25 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification	Japan	2–0	Turkmenistan	Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
15:00 UTC+6	Kanda 22', 48'	Report		Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Attendance: 254 Referee: Jansen Foo (Singapore)

27 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification	Myanmar	0–6	Japan	Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
15:00 UTC+6			Hiroi 25', 64' Nakagawa 32', 82', 83' Nishihara 45'	Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Attendance: 253 Referee: Morteza Mansourian (Iran)

29 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification	Japan	1–1	Kyrgyzstan	Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
20:00 UTC+6	Kanda 50'		Madanov 47'	Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Referee: Nivon Robesh (Sri Lanka)

13 November Friendly	U-19 Pumas UNAM	0–0	Japan	Mexico City, Mexico
11:00 UTC−6		Report		Stadium: Club Universidad Nacional Ground

16 November Friendly	Mexico	1–1 (1–2 p)	Japan	Mexico City, Mexico
10:00 UTC−6	Moreno 3'	Report	Yasuda 51'	Stadium: Centro de Alto Rendimiento

19 November Friendly	Venezuela	1–3	Japan	Mexico City, Mexico
13:00 UTC−6	Perez 70'	Report	Ikeda 10' Kida 67' Saito 73'	Stadium: Centro de Alto Rendimiento

Fixtures & Results (U-19 2024), JFA.jp

U-18

9 October Friendly	Japan	0–1	Sweden	Oliva
15:00 UTC+2		Report	Samuyiwa 9'	Stadium: Oliva Nova Sports Center

13 October Friendly	Sweden	1–4	Japan	Oliva
15:00 UTC+2	Jawla 41'	Report	Kawamura 6' Yamaguchi 15', 22', 58'	Stadium: Oliva Nova Sports Center

15 October Friendly	United States	3–2	Japan	Oliva
12:00 UTC+2	Joyner 16' Miller 43' Klapija 54'	Report	Shimamoto 56' Nawata 79'	Stadium: Oliva Nova Sports Center

Fixtures & Results (U-18 2024), JFA.jp

Coaching staff

Current staff

Role	Name
Head coach	Yuzo Funakoshi
Assistant coaches	Daisuke Sugawara Kenji Haneda
Goalkeeping coach	Toshiyasu Takahara
Fitness coach	Atsushi Kanno

Players & Staffs U20 (2025), JFA.jp

Players

Current squad

The following U-20 players were called up on 12 September 2025 for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, held from September to October on Chile.^[2]

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club
1GK	Keisuke Nakamura (中村圭佑)	(2005-04-27) 27 April 2005 (age 20)	Tokyo Verdy
1GK	Alexandre Pisano (ピサノアレクサンドレ)	(2006-01-10) 10 January 2006 (age 20)	Nagoya Grampus
1GK	Rui Araki (荒木琉偉)	(2007-10-14) 14 October 2007 (age 18)	Gamba Osaka

2DF	Harumichi Shiokawa (塩川桜道)	(2005-04-25) 25 April 2005 (age 20)	Ryutsu Keizai University
2DF	Rion Ichihara (市原吏音)	(2005-07-07) 7 July 2005 (age 20)	RB Omiya Ardija
2DF	Rei Umeki (梅木怜)	(2005-08-25) 25 August 2005 (age 20)	FC Imabari
2DF	Kazunari Kita (喜多壱也)	(2005-09-16) 16 September 2005 (age 20)	Real Sociedad
2DF	Keita Kosugi (小杉啓太)	(2006-03-18) 18 March 2006 (age 19)	Djurgården
2DF	Soichiro Mori (森壮一朗)	(2007-06-29) 29 June 2007 (age 18)	Nagoya Grampus

3MF	Yuto Ozeki (大関友翔)	(2005-02-06) 6 February 2005 (age 21)	Kawasaki Frontale
3MF	Sora Hiraga (平賀大空)	(2005-03-02) 2 March 2005 (age 21)	Kyoto Sanga
3MF	Kosei Ogura (小倉幸成)	(2005-04-09) 9 April 2005 (age 20)	Hosei University
3MF	Shunsuke Saito (齋藤俊輔)	(2005-04-26) 26 April 2005 (age 20)	Mito HollyHock
3MF	Nelson Ishiwatari (石渡ネルソン)	(2005-05-10) 10 May 2005 (age 20)	Iwaki FC
3MF	Hagumu Nakagawa (中川育)	(2005-06-07) 7 June 2005 (age 20)	Ryutsu Keizai University
3MF	Hisatsugu Ishii (石井久継)	(2005-07-07) 7 July 2005 (age 20)	Shonan Bellmare
3MF	Yumeki Yokoyama (横山夢樹)	(2005-09-23) 23 September 2005 (age 20)	FC Imabari
3MF	Yotaro Nakajima (中島洋太朗)	(2006-04-22) 22 April 2006 (age 19)	Sanfrecce Hiroshima
3MF	Ryūnosuke Satō (佐藤龍之介)	(2006-10-16) 16 October 2006 (age 19)	Fagiano Okayama

4FW	Soma Kanda (神田奏真)	(2005-12-29) 29 December 2005 (age 20)	Kawasaki Frontale
4FW	Rento Takaoka (高岡伶颯)	(2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 (age 19)	Valenciennes

Recent call-ups

The following players were called up to an U-20, U-19 or U-18 squad in the past 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Masataka Kobayashi (小林将天)	(2005-09-20) 20 September 2005 (age 20)	FC Tokyo	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
GK	Lorenz Coninx (コニンクスロレンツ)	(2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 (age 19)	FC Zürich	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
GK	Amato Noguchi Pinto (ノグチピント天飛)	(2007-04-18) 18 April 2007 (age 18)	Kashiwa Reysol	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
GK	Hiroaki Hagi (萩裕陽)	(2007-06-12) 12 June 2007 (age 18)	Nagoya Grampus	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
GK	Hikaru Ogawa (小川煌)	(2007-06-24) 24 June 2007 (age 18)	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
GK	Wataru Goto (後藤亘)	(2006-05-08) 8 May 2006 (age 19)	FC Tokyo	AFC U-20 Asian Cup, February 2025
GK	Taisei Kambayashi (上林大誠)	(2006-02-21) 21 February 2006 (age 20)	Montedio Yamagata	v. United States, 15 November 2024
GK	Otavio Hiroki Toma (藤間オタビオ広希)	(2006-08-30) 30 August 2006 (age 19)	Komazawa University	v. United States, 15 November 2024
GK	Shota Uchiyama (内山翔太)	(2006-11-09) 9 November 2006 (age 19)	Albirex Niigata	v. United States, 15 November 2024

DF	Kei Murakami (村上慶)	(2007-04-11) 11 April 2007 (age 18)	Ohzu High School	Pre-FIFA U-20 World Cup camp, 16-27 September 2025 ^TP
DF	Haruto Nakano (中野陽斗)	(2007-05-06) 6 May 2007 (age 18)	Kamimura Gakuen High School	Pre-FIFA U-20 World Cup camp, 16-27 September 2025 ^TP
DF	Toshiya Matsuoka (松岡敏也)	(2007-12-06) 6 December 2007 (age 18)	Kokoku High School	Pre-FIFA U-20 World Cup camp, 16-27 September 2025 ^TP
DF	Kaito Tsuchiya (土屋櫂大)	(2006-05-12) 12 May 2006 (age 19)	Kawasaki Frontale	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
DF	Katsuma Fuse (布施克真)	(2007-03-11) 11 March 2007 (age 19)	University of Tsukuba	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
DF	Yugo Okawa (大川佑梧)	(2007-07-14) 14 July 2007 (age 18)	Kashima Antlers	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
DF	Niko Takahashi (高橋仁胡)	(2005-08-17) 17 August 2005 (age 20)	Cerezo Osaka	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025 ^WD
DF	Mihiro Sato (佐藤海宏)	(2007-02-26) 26 February 2007 (age 19)	Kashima Antlers	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025 ^WD
DF	Haruto Nakano (中野陽斗)	(2007-05-06) 6 May 2007 (age 18)	Kamimura Gakuen High School	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
DF	Yusei Shima (島佑成)	(2007-05-31) 31 May 2007 (age 18)	Ehime FC	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
DF	Shoei Sasaki (佐々木将英)	(2007-06-05) 5 June 2007 (age 18)	FC Tokyo	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
DF	Harumu Kubo (久保遥夢)	(2007-06-18) 18 June 2007 (age 18)	Maebashi Ikuei High School	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
DF	Ryo Senda (千田遼)	(2007-09-20) 20 September 2007 (age 18)	Fagiano Okayama	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
DF	Taishi Ukibe (浮邉泰士)	(2007-11-20) 20 November 2007 (age 18)	Kagoshima Josei High School	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
DF	Toshiya Matsuoka (松岡敏也)	(2007-12-06) 6 December 2007 (age 18)	Kokoku High School	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
DF	Kanata Nakamitsu (中光叶多)	(2005-11-04) 4 November 2005 (age 20)	Chuo University	v. United States, 24 March 2025
DF	Kotaro Honda (本多康太郎)	(2006-05-20) 20 May 2006 (age 19)	Shonan Bellmare	v. United States, 24 March 2025
DF	Jui Hata (秦樹)	(2007-05-01) 1 May 2007 (age 18)	Yokohama FC	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
DF	Shunya Sakai (酒井舜哉)	(2007-05-28) 28 May 2007 (age 18)	RB Omiya Ardija	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
DF	Taichi Tsukidate (月舘汰壱·アブーバクル)	(2007-12-06) 6 December 2007 (age 18)	Aomori Yamada High School	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
DF	Rikuto Kuwahara (桒原陸人)	(2005-01-21) 21 January 2005 (age 21)	Meiji University	v. France, 21 March 2025 ^INJ
DF	Sota Tsukuda (佃颯太)	(2007-08-28) 28 August 2007 (age 18)	Yokohama FC	2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup ^TP
DF	Zen Suzuki (鈴木善)	(2005-02-18) 18 February 2005 (age 21)	Kokugakuin University	Training Camp, 16-19 December 2024
DF	Justin Honma (本間ジャスティン)	(2005-08-26) 26 August 2005 (age 20)	Matsumoto Yamaga	Training Camp, 16-19 December 2024
DF	Shunta Ikeda (池田春汰)	(2005-04-03) 3 April 2005 (age 20)	University of Tsukuba	v. Venezuela, 19 November 2024
DF	Yumeki Yoshinaga (吉永夢希)	(2006-02-22) 22 February 2006 (age 20)	Jong Genk	v. United States, 15 November 2024
DF	Shotaro Shibata (柴田翔太郎)	(2006-04-17) 17 April 2006 (age 19)	Meiji University	v. United States, 15 November 2024
DF	Hideki Saito (斉藤秀輝)	(2006-05-12) 12 May 2006 (age 19)	Toyo University	v. United States, 15 November 2024
DF	Tariqkani Hayato Okabe (岡部タリクカナイ颯斗)	(2006-07-05) 5 July 2006 (age 19)	Toyo University	v. United States, 15 November 2024
DF	Shota Kofie (木吹翔太)	(2006-08-19) 19 August 2006 (age 19)	Iwaki FC	v. United States, 15 November 2024
DF	Rio Tadokoro (田所莉旺)	(2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 (age 19)	V-Varen Nagasaki	v. Sweden, 13 October 2024 ^WD

MF	Yudai Shimamoto (嶋本悠大)	(2006-10-26) 26 October 2006 (age 19)	Shimizu S-Pulse	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
MF	Motoki Nishihara (西原源樹)	(2006-12-16) 16 December 2006 (age 19)	Shimizu S-Pulse	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
MF	Towa Osada (長田叶羽)	(2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 (age 19)	Chuo University	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Naoya Wada (和田直哉)	(2007-07-28) 28 July 2007 (age 18)	Urawa Red Diamonds	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Shion Shinkawa (新川志音)	(2007-08-06) 6 August 2007 (age 18)	Sagan Tosu	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Kio Tanaka (田中希和)	(2007-08-07) 7 August 2007 (age 18)	FC Tokyo	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Aitaro Higashiguchi (東口藍太郎)	(2007-08-04) 4 August 2007 (age 18)	Sagan Tosu	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Takato Yamamoto (山本天翔)	(2007-08-24) 24 August 2007 (age 18)	Gamba Osaka	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Shion Nakayama (仲山獅恩)	(2007-10-16) 16 October 2007 (age 18)	Tokyo Verdy	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Haruto Nakano (中野遥翔)	(2007-11-30) 30 November 2007 (age 18)	Azul Claro Numazu	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Naru Nakatsumi (中積爲)	(2007-12-19) 19 December 2007 (age 18)	Gamba Osaka	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
MF	Kenshin Yasuda (保田堅心)	(2005-03-05) 5 March 2005 (age 21)	Jong Genk	v. United States, 24 March 2025
MF	Kazuki Fukushima (福島和毅)	(2007-04-27) 27 April 2007 (age 18)	Kamimura Gakuen High School	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
MF	Shunsuke Hayashi (林駿佑)	(2007-05-29) 29 May 2007 (age 18)	Kawasaki Frontale	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
MF	Yuta Sugawara (菅原悠太)	(2007-09-07) 7 September 2007 (age 18)	FC Tokyo	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
MF	Ryuki Osa (長璃喜)	(2007-10-13) 13 October 2007 (age 18)	Shohei High School	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
MF	Kento Imai (今井健人)	(2007-10-31) 31 October 2007 (age 18)	Tokyo Verdy	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
MF	Nick Schmidt (ニックシュミット)	(2007-09-12) 12 September 2007 (age 18)	FC St. Pauli	AFC U-20 Asian Cup, February 2025
MF	Toki Yukutomo (行友翔哉)	(2005-01-05) 5 January 2005 (age 21)	Ehime FC	Training Camp, 16-19 December 2024
MF	Toa Suenaga (末永透瑛)	(2005-10-13) 13 October 2005 (age 20)	Renofa Yamaguchi	Training Camp, 16-19 December 2024
MF	Rinto Hanashiro (花城琳斗)	(2005-09-12) 12 September 2005 (age 20)	VfB Stuttgart II	v. Venezuela, 19 November 2024
MF	Keisuke Sakaiya (堺屋佳介)	(2005-05-07) 7 May 2005 (age 20)	Sagan Tosu	v. Mexico, 16 November 2024^INJ
MF	Gakuto Kawamura (川村楽人)	(2006-04-06) 6 April 2006 (age 19)	Tokyo Verdy	v. United States, 15 November 2024
MF	Sena Ishibashi (石橋瀬凪)	(2006-04-22) 22 April 2006 (age 19)	Shonan Bellmare	v. United States, 15 November 2024
MF	Shungo Sugiura (杉浦駿吾)	(2006-05-14) 14 May 2006 (age 19)	Nagoya Grampus	v. United States, 15 November 2024
MF	Gaku Nawata (名和田我空)	(2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 19)	Gamba Osaka	v. United States, 15 November 2024
MF	Minato Otani (大谷湊斗)	(2006-10-01) 1 October 2006 (age 19)	University of Tsukuba	v. United States, 15 November 2024
MF	Rando Hiroi (廣井蘭)	(2005-03-05) 5 March 2005 (age 21)	University of Tsukuba	v. Kyrgyzstan, 29 September 2024

FW	Yutaka Michiwaki (道脇豊)	(2006-04-06) 6 April 2006 (age 19)	Beveren	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
FW	Aren Inoue (井上愛簾)	(2006-09-19) 19 September 2006 (age 19)	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2025
FW	Ritsu Onishi (大西利都)	(2007-05-29) 29 May 2007 (age 18)	Nagoya Grampus	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
FW	Shuto Oishi (大石脩斗)	(2007-12-11) 11 December 2007 (age 18)	Kagoshima Josei High School	UEFA Friendship Cup, May-June 2025
FW	Keisuke Goto (後藤啓介)	(2005-06-03) 3 June 2005 (age 20)	Sint-Truiden	v. United States, 24 March 2025
FW	Homare Tokuda (徳田誉)	(2007-02-18) 18 February 2007 (age 19)	Kashima Antlers	v. United States, 24 March 2025
FW	Kento Shiogai (塩貝健)	(2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 20)	NEC	v. United States, 24 March 2025 ^WD
FW	Kanshiro Suemune (末宗寛士郎)	(2007-06-10) 10 June 2007 (age 18)	Fagiano Okayama	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
FW	Sota Ito (伊藤湊太)	(2007-09-24) 24 September 2007 (age 18)	Kyoto Tachibana High School	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
FW	Kojiro Hisanaga (久永虎次郎)	(2007-11-23) 23 November 2007 (age 18)	Gamba Osaka	J-Village Cup, 12-17 March 2025
FW	Ryoga Kida (貴田遼河)	(2005-07-15) 15 July 2005 (age 20)	Argentinos Juniors	v. Venezuela, 19 November 2024
FW	Takumi Yasuno (安野匠)	(2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 (age 19)	Vegalta Sendai	v. United States, 15 November 2024
FW	Mohamad Sadiki Wade (ワッドモハメッドサディキ)	(2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 19)	FC Ryukyu	v. United States, 15 November 2024
FW	Taiyo Yamaguchi (山口太陽)	(2006-08-18) 18 August 2006 (age 19)	FC Tokyo	v. United States, 15 November 2024
^INJ Withdrew due to injury ^PRE Preliminary squad / standby ^TP Training partner ^WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

(Players are listed within position group by order of latest call-up, seniority, and then alphabetically by its surname)

Previous squads

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Records

As of 14 June 2023

Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.

Caps and goals is calculated by all national team level include U18, U19, and U20.

Most capped player

#	Name	Caps	Goals	Pos	Career
1	Koki Ogawa	36	23	FW	2015–2017
2	Yuta Nakayama	30	0	DF	2015–2017
3	Takehiro Tomiyasu	28	1	DF	2016–2017
4	Ryosuke Yamanaka	25	0	DF	2011–2012
5	Ritsu Doan	24	8	MF	2016–2017
6	Koji Miyoshi	23	5	MF	2013–2017
7	Isa Sakamoto	21	12	FW	2021–2023
8	Sota Kitano	19	6	FW	2022–2023
9	Yuya Kubo	18	15	FW	2010–2012
10	Naohiro Takahara	16	16	FW	1998–1999

Top goalscorers

#	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Koki Ogawa	23	36	0.64	2015–2017
2	Naohiro Takahara	16	16	1	1998–1999
3	Yuya Kubo	15	18	0.83	2010–2012
4	Isa Sakamoto	12	21	0.57	2021–2023
5	Kanta Chiba	11	4	2.75	2021–2022
6	Kento Shiogai	9	9	1	2023–
7	Ritsu Doan	8	24	0.33	2016–2017
7	Naoki Kumata	8	13	0.62	2022–2023
9	Sota Kitano	6	19	0.32	2022–2023
	Hidetoshi Nakata	6	12	0.5	1994–1995
	Taisei Miyashiro	6	11	0.55	2018–2020
	Kensuke Nagai	6	11	0.55	2007–2011

Honours

Intercontinental

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Runners-Up (1): 1999

Continental

AFC U-19 Championship

Winners (1): 2016

Runners-Up (6): 1973, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006

Competitive record

FIFA U-20 World Cup

Hosts / Year	Result	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
1977	did not qualify
1979	Group stage	3	0	2	1	1	2
1981	did not qualify
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995	Quarterfinals	4	1	1	2	6	6
1997	Quarterfinals	5	2	1	2	12	9
1999	Runners-up	7	4	1*	2	11	9
2001	Group stage	3	1	0	2	4	4
2003	Quarterfinals	5	3	0	2	6	10
2005	Round of 16	4	0	2	2	3	5
2007	Round of 16	4	2	2*	0	6	3
2009	did not qualify
2011
2013
2015
2017	Round of 16	4	1	1	2	4	6
2019	Round of 16	4	1	2	1	4	2
2023	Group stage	3	1	0	2	3	4
2025	Round of 16	4	3	0	1	7	1
2027	To be determined
Total	12/25	50	19	12	19	67	61

*Denotes draws which includes knockout matches decided on penalty shootouts. Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicate 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament.

FIFA U-20 World Cup matches
Year	Round	Result	Opponent
1979	Group stage
		L	0-1	Spain
		D	0-0	Algeria
		D	1-1	Mexico
1995	Group stage
		D	2-2	Chile
		L	1-2	Spain
		W	2-0	Burundi
	Quarterfinals
	Quarterfinals	L	1-2	Brazil
1997	Group stage
		L	1-2	Spain
		L	6-2	Costa Rica
		L	3-3	Paraguay
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	W	1-0	Australia
	Quarterfinals
	Quarterfinals	L	1-2	Ghana
1999	Group stage
		L	1-2	Cameroon
		W	3-1	United States
		W	2-0	England
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	D	1-1	Portugal
	Quarterfinals
	Quarterfinals	W	2-0	Mexico
	Semifinals
	Semifinals	W	2-1	Uruguay
	Finals
	Finals	L	0-4	Spain
2001	Group stage
		L	0-2	Australia
		L	1-2	Angola
		W	3-0	Czech Republic
2003	Group stage
		W	1-0	England
		L	1-4	Colombia
		W	1-0	Egypt
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	W	2-1	South Korea
	Quarterfinals
	Quarterfinals	L	1-5	Brazil
2005	Group stage
		L	1-2	Netherlands
		D	1-1	Benin
		D	1-1	Australia
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	L	0-1	Morocco
2007	Group stage
		W	3-1	Scotland
		W	1-0	Costa Rica
		D	0-0	Nigeria
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	D	2-2	Czech Republic
2017	Group stage
		W	2-1	South Africa
		L	0-2	Uruguay
		D	2-2	Italy
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	L	0-1	Venezuela
2019	Group stage
		D	1-1	Ecuador
		W	3-0	Mexico
		D	0-0	Italy
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	L	0-1	South Korea
2023	Group stage
		W	1-0	Senegal
		L	1-2	Colombia
		L	1-2	Israel
2025	Group stage
		W	2-0	Egypt
		W	2-0	Chile
		W	3-0	New Zealand
	Round of 16
	Round of 16	L	0-1	France

AFC U-20 Asian Cup

Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1959	Third place	4	2	0	2	12	11
1960	Third place	4	2	1	1	10	11
1961	Group stage	4	0	1	3	4	8
1962		4	1	0	3	4	9
1963		5	1	1	3	8	13
1964		3	0	1	2	1	4
1965		4	2	0	2	8	4
1966		4	0	0	4	2	13
1967		3	0	0	3	2	6
1968		3	0	1	2	0	6
1969	Quarterfinals	3	1	0	2	5	11
1970	Fourth place	6	2	1	3	5	13
1971	Fourth place	6	4	1	1	13	2
1972	Quarterfinals	5	2	2	1	12	5
1973	Runners-up	5	1	2	2	5	6
1974	Quarterfinals	4	2	0	2	9	4
1975	Group stage	4	2	0	2	10	5
1976	Tie-breaker play-off	4	1	2	1	2	4
1977	Fourth place	5	1	2	2	8	6
1978	Group stage	4	1	2	1	8	6
1980	Final tournament	4	2	0	2	4	5
1982	Didn't qualify
1985
1986
1988	Group stage	3	0	0	3	3	7
1990	Group stage	3	1	1	1	5	4
1992	Third place	5	3	0	2	8	4
1994	Runners-up	6	4	0	2	9	4
1996	Fourth place	6	3	1	2	12	6
1998	Runners-up	6	3	1	2	18	10
2000		6	3	1	2	15	8
2002		6	4	1	1	11	4
2004	Third place	6	3	3	0	10	3
2006	Runners-up	6	3	2	1	12	6
2008	Quarterfinals	4	2	1	1	10	6
2010		4	3	0	1	11	4
2012		4	1	1	2	2	4
2014		4	2	1	1	7	5
2016	Champions	6	4	2	0	13	0
2018	Semifinals	5	4	0	1	15	5
2023		5	4	1	0	11	4
2025		5	1	3	1	7	6
Total	39/42	178	75	36	67	311	242

References

^ "サムライ・ブルー (Samurai Blue)" basically refers to the Japan national football team, and in fact "Samurai Blue" is not often used by the under generation.
^ "U-20 Japan National Team squad & schedule - FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ (9/16-10/20)". jfa.jp/. JFA. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.

External links

Japan national under-20 football team – official website at JFA.jp (in English)
Japan national team 2021 schedule at JFA.jp (in Japanese)

Head-to-head record

The following table shows Japan's head-to-head record in the FIFA U-20 World Cup and AFC U-20 Asian Cup.

In FIFA U-20 World Cup

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Algeria	1	0	1	0	0	0	+0	000.00
Angola	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Australia	3	1	1	1	2	3	−1	033.33
Benin	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Brazil	2	0	0	2	2	7	−5	000.00
Burundi	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2	100.00
Cameroon	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Chile	2	1	1	0	4	2	+2	050.00
Colombia	2	0	0	2	2	6	−4	000.00
Costa Rica	2	2	0	0	7	2	+5	100.00
Czech Republic	2	1	1	0	5	2	+3	050.00
Ecuador	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Egypt	2	2	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
England	2	2	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
France	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	000.00
Ghana	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Israel	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Italy	2	0	2	0	2	2	+0	000.00
Mexico	3	2	1	0	6	1	+5	066.67
Morocco	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	000.00
Netherlands	1	0	0	1	1	2	−1	000.00
New Zealand	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
Nigeria	1	0	1	0	0	0	+0	000.00
Paraguay	1	0	1	0	3	3	+0	000.00
Portugal	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Scotland	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	100.00
Senegal	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00
South Africa	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100.00
South Korea	2	1	0	1	2	2	+0	050.00
Spain	4	0	0	4	2	9	−7	000.00
United States	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	100.00
Uruguay	2	1	0	1	2	3	−1	050.00
Venezuela	1	0	0	1	0	1	−1	000.00
Total	50	19	12	19	67	61	+6	038.00

In AFC U-20 Asian Cup

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Afghanistan	1	1	0	0	6	1	+5	100.00
Australia	1	0	0	1	0	2	−2	000.00
Bahrain	4	2	1	1	7	5	+2	050.00
Bangladesh	2	2	0	0	4	0	+4	100.00
Brunei	2	2	0	0	12	1	+11	100.00
China	6	2	1	3	8	8	+0	033.33
Chinese Taipei	4	2	0	2	7	5	+2	050.00
Hong Kong	7	2	3	2	14	8	+6	028.57
India	6	4	1	1	11	5	+6	066.67
Indonesia	3	2	0	1	6	4	+2	066.67
Iran	11	2	2	7	11	20	−9	018.18
Iraq	7	3	1	3	19	10	+9	042.86
Israel	2	0	0	2	1	4	−3	000.00
Jordan	2	2	0	0	5	0	+5	100.00
Kuwait	4	3	0	1	6	3	+3	075.00
Kyrgyzstan	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
Malaysia	8	3	2	3	13	19	−6	037.50
Myanmar	7	2	0	5	8	17	−9	028.57
Nepal	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	100.00
North Korea	7	3	3	1	11	7	+4	042.86
Oman	1	0	1	0	2	2	+0	000.00
Philippines	2	1	1	0	7	2	+5	050.00
Qatar	5	3	1	1	11	1	+10	060.00
Saudi Arabia	9	5	3	1	15	9	+6	055.56
Singapore	9	5	0	4	20	12	+8	055.56
South Korea	24	2	6	16	20	46	−26	008.33
Sri Lanka	3	3	0	0	9	3	+6	100.00
Syria	5	1	3	1	9	8	+1	020.00
Tajikistan	2	2	0	0	8	0	+8	100.00
Thailand	14	4	3	7	17	21	−4	028.57
United Arab Emirates	7	3	2	2	11	7	+4	042.86
Uzbekistan	1	0	1	0	1	1	+0	000.00
Vietnam	8	5	1	2	18	11	+7	062.50
Yemen	2	2	0	0	8	0	+8	100.00
Total	178	75	36	67	311	242	+69	042.13

[1] "サムライ・ブルー (Samurai Blue)" basically refers to the Japan national football team, and in fact "Samurai Blue" is not often used by the under generation.

[2] "U-20 Japan National Team squad & schedule - FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025™ (9/16-10/20)". jfa.jp/. JFA. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 13 September 2025.

[1]

[2]

v t e National sports teams of Japan
Men	A1GP American football Australian rules football Bandy Baseball U-18 Basketball U-17 U-19 3x3 U-23 3x3 Wheelchair Boxing Cricket U-19 Field hockey U-21 Floorball U-19 Football U-23 U-20 U-17 Futsal U-23 U-20 Beach soccer eFootball Cerebral palsy Goalball Gymnastics Handball MJ MY Ice hockey Junior U-18 Kabaddi Korfball Lacrosse Roller hockey Rugby league Rugby union 7s U-20 Softball U-19 Squash Tennis Volleyball U-21 U-19 Water polo
Women	Baseball Basketball U-19 U-17 3x3 U-23 3x3 Wheelchair Beach handball Cricket Field hockey U-21 Floorball Flag football Football U-23 U-20 U-17 Futsal Goalball Gymnastics Handball W-J Ice hockey F U-18 Rugby union 7s Softball U-18 Squash Tennis Volleyball U-23 U-21 U-19 Water polo
Mixed	Badminton Baseball5 Boxing Tennis Wheelchair handball Wheelchair rugby
Olympics Paralympics Asian Games Asian Para Games Universiade Youth Olympics

v t e National under-20 football teams of Asia (AFC)
AFC U-20 Asian Cup
West Asia (WAFF)	Bahrain Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria United Arab Emirates Yemen
Central Asia (CAFA)	Afghanistan Iran Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan
South Asia (SAFF)	Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka
East Asia (EAFF)	China Chinese Taipei¹ Guam Hong Kong Japan Macau Mongolia North Korea Northern Mariana Islands² South Korea
Southeast Asia (AFF)	Australia Brunei Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Timor-Leste Vietnam
¹ Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, competes as "Chinese Taipei" ² Not a member of FIFA

Results and fixtures

2025

U-20

U-18

2024

U-19

U-18

Coaching staff

Current staff

Players

Current squad

Recent call-ups

Previous squads

Records

Most capped player

Top goalscorers

Honours

Intercontinental

Continental

Competitive record

FIFA U-20 World Cup

AFC U-20 Asian Cup

See also

References

External links

Head-to-head record

In FIFA U-20 World Cup

In AFC U-20 Asian Cup