On the Ground: Moriyasu’s Men Are Turning Heads—and the Quarterfinals Are Within Reach

The first opponent: The environment

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu (57) often repeats the phrase, “Even the unexpected must be expected.” Those words perfectly summed up the team’s training camp.

The Samurai Blue chose Monterrey, Mexico, as their pre-World Cup training base. Their second group-stage match against Tunisia will be played at Estadio Monterrey, where average daytime highs reach 34°C (93°F). The primary objective of the camp was heat acclimatization.

Instead, Japan immediately encountered the unexpected.

The condition of the training pitches was poor, forcing the team to change training venues three times in just five days. One of those facilities was located more than 40 minutes from the team hotel.

The weather also turned out to be much cooler than anticipated. On the third day, rain kept temperatures at 26°C (79°F). Although it reached 30°C (86°F) on the fourth day, strong winds made it feel considerably cooler. At first glance, the camp’s top priority—adapting to extreme heat—appeared to have failed.

Behind the scenes, however, the coaching staff implemented a secret strategy.

Players were prohibited from immediately cooling themselves in ice baths after training. Following the opening day’s session, Junya Ito (33) explained the reasoning.

“It’s fine once we get back to the hotel, but apparently getting into an ice bath immediately after training isn’t good if you’re trying to adapt to the heat.”

While the team could not control how high the temperature would climb, they could control their approach to heat acclimatization. The decision reflected the staff’s extensive preparation and research.

Even so, the players admitted that humidity, rather than heat itself, was their biggest concern. Ayase Ueda (27) elaborated.

“I think we need to adapt more to the humidity than the temperature. When you sweat a lot, you can end up close to dehydration, and high humidity can make it harder to breathe. I’ve gotten somewhat used to it.”

Monterrey’s average humidity in June exceeds 60 percent. Experiencing those conditions ahead of the tournament should provide Japan with a significant advantage once the World Cup begins.

Drones and legendary alumni

During training, there was relatively little focus on tactical preparations specifically tailored for the World Cup opener against the Netherlands. Instead, the coaching staff devoted much of the session to reviewing and refining Japan’s own attacking and defensive principles. One of the key tools supporting that process was the drone system, first introduced during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

When reviewing tactical drills, the coaching staff often used footage filmed from directly above the pitch. As assistant coach Makoto Hasebe (42) explained:

“With limited time available, a major part of my job is deciding which information, out of everything we’ve gathered, should be conveyed to the players.”

Aerial footage provides a perspective players can never see during training themselves. Is the defensive line staying compact? Are the distances between players appropriate during attacking phases? During team meetings, detailed drone footage was reportedly used to fine-tune those small but crucial tactical details.

The support from Japan’s legendary former internationals has also been extensive.

On the fourth day of camp, assistant coach Shunsuke Nakamura (47) conducted a special free-kick clinic. After regular training concluded, he gathered five players—including Takefusa Kubo (25) and Ao Tanaka (27)—to practice set pieces under his direct instruction.

Training with one of Japan’s greatest free-kick specialists created a tense atmosphere. Tanaka joked afterward:

“If we perform too poorly, I’m worried Shunsuke-san might go back to the hotel, watch the video again, and point out even more things we did wrong.”

Former captain Maya Yoshida (37) had originally planned to participate only in the domestic training camp held in Japan at the end of May, but he later rejoined the squad in Mexico.

“Meal times are when I can communicate with everyone the most,” Yoshida said proudly.

Drawing on his experience with LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, Yoshida immediately shared advice about the climate and stadium conditions in the United States. He also passed along lessons on the mental preparation required for a World Cup, drawing from his experience of playing in three previous tournaments.

Receiving direct instruction from world-class former internationals—both technically and mentally—will undoubtedly prove invaluable for Japan’s players.

The June 12 issue of FRIDAY (June 26/July 3 combined edition), along with the paid edition FRIDAY GOLD, features exclusive coverage of the Japan national team’s match-day meals, as well as candid off-the-pitch moments from key players such as Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura, accompanied by previously unpublished photographs.

For the full story and additional photos, see below.

From the June 26 & July 3, 2026 Combined Issue of “FRIDAY”