Hajime Moriyasu’s Rising Reputation Sparks Global Interest Ahead of the World Cup

A complete rejection of individual ego

Japan secured a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup after finishing second in Group F.

After drawing 2-2 with powerhouse the Netherlands in the opening match, Japan crushed Tunisia 4-0. In their final group-stage game against Sweden on June 26, they earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw to finish with five points. Their first opponent in the knockout stage will be footballing powerhouse Brazil.

Japan entered the tournament after losing several key players, including Kaoru Mitoma (29) and Wataru Endo (33), shortly before the competition began. During the tournament, Takefusa Kubo (25) also injured his left knee and has continued training separately from the squad. Yet despite being far from full strength, the team advanced comfortably through the group stage, suggesting that the overall level of Japanese football has risen significantly in recent years.

Forward Ayase Ueda (27), who scored twice against Tunisia, has already been linked with a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs. However, one person who should not be overlooked is manager Hajime Moriyasu (57).

At the World Cup in Qatar four years ago, Moriyasu stunned the world by engineering famous victories over Germany and Spain in the group stage.

This time around, Japan’s intense pressing from the front and highly organized defense have again caused major problems for opposing teams. Dutch star center-back Virgil van Dijk praised Japan, saying:

“Japan were extremely disciplined, and their midfield defense was compact and solid.”

Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who was tightly marked throughout the match, reflected:

“Their organization was excellent. Whenever you had the ball, it felt as though three or four players were surrounding you.”

A source familiar with Moriyasu offered the following assessment:

“Coach Moriyasu places great importance on team unity and has completely eliminated individual ego from the squad. Every player is expected to work for the good of the team. Even when key players such as Mitoma, Endo, and Kubo are unavailable, others step in to minimize the drop in quality. The manager constantly repeats the phrase stay composed and dislikes anything that disrupts the team’s focus. To put it bluntly, he isn’t necessarily trying to play entertaining football. This uncompromising approach has paid off, and Japan no longer suffers the kind of dramatic collapses it once did. His abilities deserve even greater recognition.”

With Japan already on four points going into the match against Sweden, Moriyasu decided not to start defender Takehiro Tomiyasu (27) and midfielder Kaishu Sano (25).

The pair are regarded as the key players for stopping Brazil’s star forward Vinicius Jr. in the next round, and social media was flooded with speculation, including comments such as:

“He deliberately rested the two players with the next match in mind.”

“He was trying not to reveal all of his tactics.”

A sports newspaper reporter covering the tournament on the ground also offered the following observation in an interview with this website.

His eyes never seem to smile

“Against Sweden, Ritsu Doan (28), Keito Nakamura (25), and Ayase Ueda, all of whom had started three consecutive matches, were substituted with the next game in mind. Moriyasu also brought on Yuto Nagatomo (39) in the 75th minute, allowing him to appear in a fifth consecutive World Cup. Even though a defeat could have dropped Japan to third place, he still made those decisions. And he did so without showing the slightest sign of concern. Looking back on it, his tactics were pretty incredible,” the reporter said with a laugh. “The only explanation is that Coach Moriyasu can see into the future.”

Nagatomo himself once said of Moriyasu:

“His eyes aren’t smiling. That’s why we all stay focused.”

The soccer reporter quoted earlier added:

“He appears gentle, but he’s someone who makes decisions with an almost frightening level of composure.”

Some reports have suggested that a victory over Brazil would secure Moriyasu’s continuation as Japan’s national team manager. If he were to remain in charge through the next World Cup, he would spend a record 12 years at the helm.

However, according to the same sports reporter:

“More than that, the world’s biggest clubs won’t leave him alone. After the Qatar World Cup, there were reports that Belgian powerhouse Sint-Truiden wanted him, but this time some clubs may seriously pursue him. In recent years, Japanese players moving overseas has become completely normal, but no Japanese manager has ever taken charge of a major European club. That’s probably because the image of Japan as a footballing backwater still lingers. As a coach, I’d like to see Moriyasu break new ground.”

In April, the overseas website “MAD FOOTBALL” released its rankings of the best managers of the 2025-26 season. Alongside such renowned names as Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich, Luis Enrique of Paris Saint-Germain, and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal, Moriyasu was ranked eighth. He was the only national team manager to make the list.

Apparently, Moriyasu has already begun thinking not only about Brazil but also about Argentina, a potential semifinal opponent should Japan continue advancing. More specifically, he is said to be devising a strategy to contain the man many regard as a footballing “god” — Lionel Messi.

Perhaps Moriyasu already has the blueprint in mind.

The only thing left to see is what other astonishing tactical decisions he has in store.