Keito Nakamura: “We, the Generation Born in the 2000s, Will Smash Through the World’s Barriers!” [Special Feature: Supporting the Japan National Team at the World Cup]

In the match against the Netherlands, he made a big play thanks to an assist from his close friend Kubo Takefusa.
The handsome midfielder, who sent a message with the “K Pose” during the Tunisia match, speaks out

“The moment Kubo Takefusa (25) cut inside, I knew the pass was coming.I already had a clear image of the shot in my mind, so I deliberately played the ball back to draw the opposing defender in, then fired it through the gap when his legs spread apart. I knew they’d be watching the far side, so I feigned a shot there and aimed for the near side instead.”

Keito Nakamura (25) calmly reflected, as always, on the strike that marked not only his first World Cup goal but also Moriyasu Japan’s first goal of the tournament.In their Group F opener on June 14, Japan faced the Netherlands—a team that has finished as runner-up three times—and, despite falling behind twice, managed to secure a 2–2 draw and earn one point.

After conceding the opening goal six minutes into the second half, it was Nakamura who scored the equalizer 12 minutes later. Nakamura, born in 2000, and Kubo, born in 2001, have played together since their days on the youth national teams, and Nakamura smiled as he said, “My first goal for the senior national team three years ago also came off an assist from Kubo.”

“Since we’ve been playing together for so long, I just have a gut feeling that the pass is coming. I’m grateful because he always gives me great assists,”

It was his first time stepping onto a World Cup pitch. And his opponent was the powerhouse Netherlands. “I was stiff with nerves in the first half,” he said.

“Even when I tried to break through vertically with my signature ‘scissors’ move (a feint where I straddle the ball), the ball wouldn’t settle nicely at my feet. Still, I was able to do my job defensively during that period.In the second half, in a way, conceding a goal meant we had to go on the attack, which helped ease some of my nerves. We conceded two goals, but the fact that we came back to tie the game both times is proof of our team’s strength. Those weren’t just ‘lucky’ goals—they were goals we created ourselves.”

His matchup was Denzel Dumfries (30), a defender known for his physicality and aggressive attacking runs. But Nakamura didn’t back down an inch and didn’t miss a single opening.

“Dumfries was the player reported to have reached an agreement to transfer from Inter Milan in Italy to the prestigious Real Madrid in Spain. Meanwhile, I’m in France’s second division. It might seem like there’s a difference in ability, but I’m glad I was able to live up to expectations on the big stage.”

When asked why he was able to deliver results right away, Nakamura attributed it to “never losing confidence, no matter what.”

Nakamura, who moved overseas as a teenager, has certainly not had an easy journey. He lost playing time in the Netherlands and Belgium and was even approached about returning to the J.League. Still, he stood his ground, saying, “If I went back to Japan, starting over from there would be even harder. ‘Going back’ wasn’t an option.”

His club, Stade de Reims, was relegated last season and spent the ’25–’26 season in the second division. Despite the challenges of building chemistry on a team with many young players, he honed his one-on-one skills and scored 14 goals.

“I think it’s precisely because I’ve played in the tough environment of the second division that I was able to deliver results at the World Cup,” he said.

In the subsequent match against Tunisia on the 20th, Nakamura, who assisted the opening goal, formed the letter “K” with his fingers toward the camera. “It’s because I’m playing alongside Kubo,” he said, dedicating the goal as a gesture of encouragement to his close friend, who was sidelined due to injury.

“In the match against the Netherlands, Junya Ito (33) and Yukinari Sugawara (25), who came on as substitutes, changed the momentum of the game.Kubo, Sugawara, Ayumu Seko (26), and Kaishu Sano (25) were all born in the 2000s. The momentum generated by this generation will be crucial in this World Cup.”

On the path to the long-awaited quarterfinals, Nakamura and the players born in the 2000s will break through the world’s defenses!

From the July 10, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*