At next year’s expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Urawa Red Diamonds will fly the flag for Japan as the nation’s sole representative.

The Reds have been on the continental stage before. They took part in the 2017 edition, and following their 2022 AFC Champions League success – which also acted as their pathway to this tournament – they appeared in the Club World Cup 2023, winning their opener against Club Leon before losing to eventual winners Manchester City in the semi-finals.

Club captain Shusaku Nishikawa, who played seven years ago and kept goal in both games in 2023, spoke to FIFA about the club’s spirit, his ambitions for next year’s tournament, and the secret to improving as he ticks towards his 40s.

Shusaku, how excited are you to be playing at the FIFA Club World Cup next year?

Nishikawa: With the format of the Club World Cup changing and the number of participating teams increasing significantly, I truly believe it’s going to attract more attention globally, compared to when I previously took part. I am happy we got a berth representing Asia. However, we’re not going just to make up the numbers and we’re determined to produce unforgettable performances.

What are you most looking forward to at the finals?

Since we compete in the J.League, we usually only see the top European clubs on TV. So, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to go head-to-head against those players. We haven’t had many opportunities like this before, so being able to participate in this tournament is significant for us. Having been Asian champions, we have confidence in our ability. If we can give it our all, I think it will lead to individual growth and for Urawa Reds as a club as well. We want to make sure that the players entrusted with this responsibility give their best to make a bright future.

The expanded tournament gives yourselves and other Japanese teams motivation to aim higher. What positives do you think it will have?

You’re right. If we can achieve better results in Asian competitions, it will lead the way to the Club World Cup. I believe this will be a tremendous source of motivation for J.League teams. Success in Asia gives the opportunity to compete directly with the world’s best. I believe that such experiences are invaluable, and the Club World Cup will undoubtedly be a significant milestone in my professional career. I’m really looking forward to it.

With three titles, Urawa are the joint-record AFC Champions League winners. Why do you think your side are so competitive on the Asian stage?

In terms of experience, there are players who have been through it all in the past, and although some of those players have left the club, one thing that remains constant is the support of our fans. The level of that support, the pressure and the backing they give us is what has driven us to win the ACL three times. The experience of the players who have achieved this success has become a tremendous source of strength and the support we receive makes it clear how we should approach these away games to succeed.

How important will the fans be out in the US?

The level of commitment of Urawa Reds’ supporters is fantastic, and a lot of them came to the last Club World Cup held in Saudi Arabia. I’ve heard that this year they are so keen to go to the Club World Cup, they are saving up for it! Everyone is really looking forward to it, and I’m really excited to think about how many fans and supporters we’re going to have from Japan.

Do you want a lot of fans to come to the United States?

Of course I want them to come! I would really like them to come to the stadium and experience the Club World Cup with us in person. Urawa Reds’ supporters are not satisfied with just showing up. They are determined to get results no matter the tournament, and they want their team to win. Since our supporters are giving it their all, we as players have to demonstrate that commitment on the pitch as well.

You also played in last year’s tournament…

That was a very disappointing tournament. Winning our opening match gave us the chance to play against Manchester City. We were able to apply the lessons learned from the 2017 tournament, first focusing on defeating Club Leon, and then we put up a good fight against Manchester City. I really enjoyed the 90 minutes itself and thought we performed well in many ways, so being shown the difference in strength with the 3-0 scoreline was really disappointing.

The final match was one in which everyone gave their all [the third-place game against Al Ahly], even though we were exhausted. We desperately wanted to end with a victory. So, I am really looking forward to another chance at the next Club World Cup, but I don’t want to go through an experience like that again.

Are Manchester City still the team you want to play the most? Or are there other teams you want to face?

When I watch matches overseas, I watch teams like Real Madrid and I want to face those top clubs. It goes without saying that I watch Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson, so I still want to go up against them again. If Urawa Reds can compete against the top clubs, and even win, I think that all of Japan will be excited, and I think it would give Japanese clubs something to aim for. I hope Urawa Reds can have that kind of presence.

Having lost some of the 2023 squad, how can your side bounce back?

I think that’s probably normal when you play football. The current team will have younger players at its core, which I think is very positive. There were several of us from the same generation when I joined Urawa Reds too, and I had the sense that we had an unspoken understanding between us. I feel that this new generation can only strengthen the team. Of course, as the oldest member of the squad, I want to give strong performances so that the younger players can thrive on the field. I want to create an environment in which they play confidently without fear of making mistakes.

You turned 38 this year. What are your tips for maintaining such a high level of performance for so long?

I think that it is important to listen to those around you giving honest feedback and then make your own judgments. I think it is important to be open to others’ input, no matter how old you are. Also, if I’m not healthy, I won’t have the opportunity to showcase my abilities and will lose my value, so putting my health first is essential to keep playing. They may seem like small details, but keeping hydrated and eating things that are good for you are things I’ve prioritised since I was young.

Do you think that you’re still growing as a player?

The more I want to grow, the more I’ve felt that I can improve, especially over the past few years. Additionally, seeing my peers retire and move on actually motivates me more, as it drives me on to overcome challenges. Typically, 38 is often viewed as approaching retirement, which I find quite frustrating. I don’t like being judged based on age and the assumption that being older means you’re less capable. So, my focus is on how to defy those expectations. That is a battle with myself.

Finally, what aspect of Urawa Reds to you want the whole world to see at next year’s Club World Cup?

I want them to see our passionate supporters. Although the United States is a long way from Japan, I believe our supporters will make the journey. And they won’t just come – they’re always thinking about how to inspire us to win. I would love people to see the dedication of our fans.