The Hajime Moriyasu-coached side will take on Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China PR and Indonesia in Group C with the draw ensuring a number of long-haul trips lie ahead for many of Japan’s predominantly Europe-based squad.

“We have been drawn into a very difficult and challenging group,” said Yamamoto, who worked as Philippe Troussier’s assistant coach during Japan’s co-hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2002.
“We have matches against those who have experienced the World Cup in the past, but also in places with a climate difference and transportation challenges.”

Japan first qualified for the FIFA World Cup Finals in France in 1998 and have enjoyed an unbroken run of qualification since, including co-hosting the tournament in 2002 with Korea Republic.
That was the first time Japan advanced to the knockout rounds, when they were eliminated in the last 16 by Turkey. The nation has since appeared twice in the Round of 16, losing on penalties to Paraguay in South Africa in 2010 and to Croatia, also in a shootout, in Qatar in 2022.
After topping their group in the previous round ahead of DPR Korea, Syria and Myanmar, Japan kick off the third round against China PR on September 5 before travelling to face Bahrain, who Moriyasu’s side defeated 3-1 in the last 16 at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.

With the FIFA World Cup now expanded from 32 to 48 nations, the Japanese will be confident of claiming one of Asia’s eight guaranteed places at the Finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States but Yamamoto admitted a tough road lies ahead.
“We have to ensure the best preparations for our players’ performances,” he said. “There are many challenges.
“We will make every single effort possible to make sure the players’ condition, preparations and performances come together for the matches.”