As we count down to the highly anticipated FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026, we take a closer look at the competing men's and women's teams ready to battle for global supremacy. In this special preview series, we profile each nation's journey to the tournament, examining their road to qualification, historic achievements, key players to watch, and the tactical minds leading them into the ultimate hockey showcase. In today’s story we take a look at the Japan men’s team, ranked #15 in the world.

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Japan are competing at the FIH Hockey World Cup for a sixth time after producing an admirable performance at the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier in Ismailia, Egypt, earlier this year.

The Samurais bounced back superbly from a 5-0 defeat to eventual champions England, powering past the USA 4-0 before captain Raiki Fujishima scored a hat-trick in a 6-3 victory over hosts Egypt to set up a semi-final against four-time world champions Pakistan. In a remarkable contest, Japan led 3-1 with just eight minutes remaining before the Green Shirts turned the match on its head, scoring three late goals to secure both victory and qualification for the World Cup.

Japan produced a dramatic comeback of their own in the third-place play-off, recovering from 3-1 down to defeat Malaysia 5-4. Three goals in the space of five minutes, between the 52nd and 57th minutes, including two from ace marksman Koji Yamasaki sealed Japan World Cup qualification.

Fujishima, Yamasaki and Kazumasa Matsumoto each scored four goals in Egypt as Japan booked their place at a second successive FIH Hockey World Cup. Their appearance at Bhubaneswar & Rourkela 2023 was their first since Mönchengladbach 2006.

Defenders Manabu Yamashita (250+ caps) and Shota Yamada (180+), midfielder Seren Tanaka (190+) and goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa (170+) provide a wealth of international experience.

Nickname: Samurai Japan

How they qualified: 3rd place – 2026 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifier, Ismailia (EGY)
Notable honours: Olympic silver medallists (1932), 9th place – FIH Hockey World Cup (1971, 2006), 4th place – FIH Hockey Nations Cup (2025-26), Asian Games gold medallists (2018), Asian Games bronze medallists (1966, 1970), Asian Hockey Champions Trophy silver medallists (2013), Sultan Azlan Shah Cup gold medallists (2024),

Rank in previous WC editions: 1971 – 9th, 1973 – 10th, 2002 – 12th, 2006 – 9th, 2023 – 15th

Head coach: Yoshihiro Anai. A former Samurai Japan player who represented his country at the 2006 FIH Hockey World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Anai also served as an assistant coach during the home Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (played in 2021). Appointed head coach in March 2024, he guided Japan to their first-ever Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title less than a month later. Anai will be aiming to improve on Japan's joint-best World Cup finish of ninth place, achieved in Barcelona 1971 and again by the team he played in at Mönchengladbach 2006.

Quotes: Head Coach, Yoshihiro Anai: Our goal at the World Cup is to finish in the top 10. We will prepare thoroughly for every match, give everything we have on the field, embrace every challenge, and fight for every victory. We are determined to write a new chapter in the history of SAMURAI JAPAN on the world stage. The support of our fans will be a vital part of that journey. Please stand with us and cheer us on!

Captain, Raiki Fujishima: It is a great honour to represent Japan and compete on the biggest stage in world hockey. We will fight for every victory through hard work, resilience, and teamwork. We want to showcase Japan's speed and strong team spirit, and prove that Japanese hockey can compete with the very best in the world. We truly appreciate your support from Japan and around the world.

One to watch: Koji Yamasaki. With 84 goals in 157 international appearances, the vast majority coming from open play, Yamasaki is one of Japan's greatest attacking weapons. Blessed with an instinct for being in the right place at the right time, the 30-year-old will compete at his second FIH Hockey World Cup, having also represented Japan at the delayed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

FIH team / stats page: click here.

Japan Hockey Association website: https://en.hockey.or.jp/
Twitter: jha_hockey Facebook: @hockey.nationalteam Instagram: samuraijapan_hockey

The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 begins on 15 August, with both men’s and women’s teams in action on opening day across the Netherlands and Belgium. For more information on the competition including the competition format, pools and the complete match schedule, click here.