Keito Nakamura: “We ’00s-Born Players Will Break Through the World’s Barriers With Our Rise!” — Japan’s World Cup Support Feature

In the Netherlands match, he made a major impact with an assist from his close friend Takefusa Kubo.
The handsome midfielder who sent a message with the “K pose” after the Tunisia match speaks out.

“When Kubo (Takefusa, 25) cut inside, I knew the pass was coming. I already had an image of the shot in my mind, so I intentionally placed the ball slightly behind me (toward the back) to make the opposing defender commit, then I struck it through the gap between his legs. I thought they would be watching for the far side, so I made it look like I was going there and aimed for the near side instead.”

Nakamura Keito (25) calmly looked back on the strike that was both his first World Cup goal and the first goal for Moriyasu Japan in this tournament. On June 14, in their opening Group F match, Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands, a team that has finished as World Cup runners-up three times, fighting back twice after falling behind to earn a valuable point.

After conceding the opening goal in the sixth minute of the second half, Nakamura scored the equalizer just six minutes later. Nakamura, born in 2000, and Kubo, born in 2001, have played together since their youth national team days. Nakamura smiled as he said, “My first goal for the senior national team three years ago was also assisted by Kubo.”

“We’ve been playing together for so long that I can sense when the pass is coming. He always gives me great assists, so I’m grateful.”

It was Nakamura’s first time stepping onto the World Cup stage. On top of that, the opponent was a powerhouse like the Netherlands. “I was tense and stiff in the first half,” he admitted.

“When I tried to break through vertically with my trademark scissors move (a feint where you step over the ball), the ball didn’t settle at my feet properly. But even during that period, I was able to do my job defensively. In the second half, in a sense, conceding a goal forced us to go out and attack, which helped ease the tension. We conceded twice, but the fact that we came back both times proves our team’s strength. These weren’t just lucky tap-ins—they were goals we created ourselves.”

His direct opponent was defender Denzel Dumfries (30), known for his physical ability and powerful attacking runs. However, Nakamura did not back down and took advantage of every opening.

“Dumfries was a player reported to have agreed on a transfer from Inter Milan in Italy to the Spanish giants Real Madrid. On the other hand, I’m playing in France’s second division. People may think there is a difference in ability, but I’m glad I was able to meet expectations on such a big stage.”

Nakamura analyzed the reason he was able to deliver results immediately: “I never lost confidence and kept working no matter what.”

Nakamura’s journey since moving overseas as a teenager has never been smooth. He lost playing time in the Netherlands and Belgium and was even approached about returning to the J.League. However, he stood firm, saying, “If I returned to Japan, starting another challenge from there would have been even more difficult. Returning was never an option.”

His club, Stade de Reims, was relegated last season, and he spent the 2025–26 season in the second division. Despite struggling with team coordination in a squad filled with young players, he sharpened his one-on-one attacking ability and scored 14 goals.

“I think it was precisely because I played in such a difficult environment in the second division that I was able to produce results at the World Cup.”

In the following match against Tunisia on June 20, Nakamura assisted the opening goal and made the letter “K” gesture with his fingers toward the camera. “Because I’m playing together with Kubo,” he explained, dedicating the goal as encouragement to his close friend, who was unavailable for selection due to injury.

“In the Netherlands match, Junya Ito (33), who came on as a substitute, and Yukinari Sugawara (25) changed the flow of the game. Kubo, Ayumu Seko (26), and Kaishu Sano (25) were also born in the 2000s. The push from this generation is going to be important at this World Cup.”

For their long-awaited dream of reaching the quarterfinals, Nakamura and the generation born in the 2000s will break through the walls of world football!

From the July 10, 2026 issue of “FRIDAY”