Japan at FIFA World Cup 2026: Blue Samurai Look to Make History

The 2026 World Cup is yet to start but Japan has already etched its name into the history books as the first country to officially secure a slot in the showpiece tournament, qualifying back in March 2025, with an all-time record eight straight World Cup appearances. It is a fact that no Asian country has ever been more times in the world tournament. But what makes the Japanese football story more compelling isn't about the stats; it is the journey. From being a huge outsider in its first world tournament in 1998 to becoming one of the best and most feared football teams in the world in less than 30 years.

Few World Cup supporter groups are as organized, as vocal and unique as the Japanese, well known for a loud presence in and outside the stadium, but more importantly their clean-up campaign after each of their games, a sign of a fan base that loves the game. For those that are planning a trip to the FIFA World Cup to cheer on the Japan squad, now is the best time to order your World Cup 2026 Tickets since tickets for the nation's games are few and far between.

Can Japan Go Deep in 2026?

Japan's 2022 campaign in Qatar was one for the history books. Beating the likes of Germany and Spain in the group stages alone is impressive but Japan didn't go home there, only to end up losing on penalty shootouts to Croatia. A performance like that made a clear message to the world — Japan were no longer just to be respected as a team but a team to be feared.

With this generation of Japanese players being the strongest of all, players like Takefusa Kubo, who has established himself as one of the most exciting wingers in La Liga with Real Sociedad, has emerged as one of the brightest and most exciting wingers in European football. This alongside fellow players Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, and Kaoru Mitoma who are among the biggest names in European club football, makes for a squad that possesses a lot of quality.

Hajime Moriyasu has put together a flexible and high-tempo team that can use a structured press to stop the ball and get a quick counter attack from the back. The Round of 16 is the absolute minimum to get out of the tournament. Reaching the quarter-finals would be a landmark achievement for Japan. That isn't a huge ask considering what they did in Qatar in 2022.

Travel Requirements for Japan Fans in North America

Japanese fans are widely regarded as some of the best-organized supporters on the planet, but there's still work to be done on meeting entry requirements in all three host countries leading up to the tournament's launch in June.

US Entry: Japan belongs to the US Visa Waiver Program, which allows Japanese passport holders to visit the United States without a visa for visits of 90 days or less, provided they secure an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel. Apply for the online ESTA for a small fee, and note that although it is approved quickly, it remains advisable to submit your application well ahead of time. There is a dedicated US Department of State page for World Cup travel at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas with information on all entry requirements plus World Cup-specific details. Keep in mind that your passport must be valid through the entire length of your stay.

Canada Entry: Japanese passport holders can visit Canada for up to 6 months with no visa. An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required for all arrivals by air, and the eTA is applied for online and is processed quickly. Vancouver, in particular, hosts one of the largest, most long-standing Japanese-Canadian communities outside of Japan, so many visitors flying in from West Coast Japan might find Vancouver's proximity and familiarity helpful.

Mexico Entry: Japanese passport holders can visit Mexico for up to 180 days with no visa. Visitors traveling to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — all three Mexican World Cup host cities — should not experience any additional entry hurdles. The Mexican host cities may provide a solid base for the tournament's opening stages for supporters hoping to travel through all three nations hosting the event.

Where to Root on Japan

Japan's group stage matches are scheduled to be held at US host cities, with the knockout rounds potentially routing the Blue Samurai through venues including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which includes the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

Los Angeles: If there is one city that could claim itself the North American hub for Japan supporters, it is LA. It is home to the largest number of Japanese and Japanese-Americans, primarily based in the Little Tokyo district as well as in neighboring communities to the south such as Gardena and Torrance. Japanese businesses and cultural institutions abound and there is a vibrant network of community resources. For many fans, a Japan match in Los Angeles will feel like a home game.

San Francisco Bay Area: The Bay Area also has a long, important history with Japan as well as Japanese-Americans. Japantown in downtown San Francisco remains one of only three in the United States. Supporters attending a match at the San Francisco-area Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara are well-positioned for tournament access while enjoying the cultural resources and rich history that the area offers.

Seattle: The World Cup games will take place at Lumen Field, and the city, which is oriented towards the Pacific Rim and has a sizeable Japanese community, is another friendly city for visiting fans.

Accommodation: Where to Stay

Accommodations around the main stadiums are getting snapped up fast. Advice on a city-by-city basis:

Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood. For Japanese fans, there are plenty of housing options in the Torrance and Gardena regions of the South Bay, which are near Inglewood and have a strong Japanese community infrastructure. El Segundo and Manhattan Beach are good options too, with the Metro K Line running to the stadium.

San Francisco/Bay Area: Hotels in Santa Clara, San Jose and Palo Alto are closest to Levi's Stadium. If you stay in San Francisco, you can get to the stadium by Caltrain. San Francisco also has a Japantown, so fans who prefer to stay there will be able to enjoy familiar food and accommodation.

Seattle: It will be most convenient to stay at hotels in downtown Seattle for matches at Lumen Field. The stadium is located in the SoDo neighborhood but is easily accessible from downtown.

New York/New Jersey: East Rutherford and Secaucus are closest to MetLife Stadium. Manhattan is the top choice for staying in the area, although it may be overpriced during the knockouts. It is also connected directly by NJ Transit, with dedicated trains departing on game day.

Be sure to book accommodations with free cancellation options, such as with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia. You won't know which cities Japan will be in for the World Cup knockouts, so it is best to keep flexibility before committing.

Getting There: Flights and Internal Travel

Direct flights depart from Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda (HND) airports to Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD). Japan Airlines, ANA (All Nippon Airways), United, Delta, and American Airlines operate these flights. Fans in western Japan can also take transpacific flights from Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX).

Flight routes between Japan and the US are among the best served in the Pacific, but prices will only keep rising closer to the main event. If you haven't booked your trip yet, do so now. For travel between the US cities where the 2026 games are being held, Southwest, Delta and American offer multiple connections to all 11 host cities. Multi-stop itineraries will work well and it is a good idea to leave a full day at each stop.

Tickets: The Practical Reality

The only way to obtain official 2026 World Cup tickets is through FIFA.com. For fans looking for what tickets are left, official resale options, or packages for VIP seating, this is the place to start. If your desired game isn't available through the official site, please avoid Reddit and Facebook. Instead, buy your tickets from a trusted, verified reseller such as Ticombo, Seatpick, or any other trusted secondary marketplace, as they will guarantee every purchase. The prices on the secondary market can be higher than face value. If buying as a group, please coordinate the seating accordingly, as adjacent seats cannot always be guaranteed, and every venue may have a unique layout.

Helpful Advice for Japanese Fans

Currency: At all venues and across all host cities, US Dollars are accepted. Don't go to the currency exchange counters in airports — ATMs and services such as Wise are a great choice when converting from Japanese Yen.

Phone plans: Most Japanese SIM cards don't include roaming in the US, so alternatives include eSIMs from Airalo or a short-term tourist plan from T-Mobile. Another popular option is to book a pocket WiFi device in Japan before you leave.

Health insurance: Unfortunately, there is no public healthcare for visitors to the US, so it is vital that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance before you leave Japan, which includes cover for hospital expenses. Japanese national health insurance does not provide any coverage overseas.

Japanese Consulates: Japan has consulates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Boston, Miami, Houston, and Chicago. Note down these contacts in case you need to reach them for emergency services.

Weather: Miami, Dallas, and Houston experience intense heat and humidity in July, which is nothing like a Japanese summer. If you will be in an outdoor fan zone, make sure you have enough water. The LA and Seattle games will be a more pleasant and cooler experience.

Time difference: Japan Standard Time is 13–16 hours ahead of US time depending on the state. Allow plenty of time to recover from the flight to avoid being jet-lagged at the time of the match.

Final Thoughts

It will be interesting to see the results for the Japanese national team at this World Cup; it is about more than a record for qualifying for eight consecutive World Cups. It is that Japan has spent decades building up to the point where a quarter-final and even beyond is an achievable target. The Blue Samurai have the best players to help them to this. With many Japanese communities in North America and strong ties in many cities across the Pacific, the USA, Canada, and Mexico could not be more perfect venues for this dream.

As many Japanese fans have yet to get their tickets to this World Cup, now may be the time to book. Japan World Cup 2026 Tickets are popular, especially through a trusted ticket provider as the date for the first game in June gets closer.

The Samurai are going. All that's left now is for Japan fans to support them.

Disclaimer: Visa requirements, hotel availability, flight prices and ticket prices are all subject to change. All visitors to North America need to ensure that they check their visa requirements with the relevant governments as per their location; tickets should be purchased directly from FIFA's web pages; check with the airline before you book a flight for their terms and conditions; ticket prices on the secondary market may differ from face value.