Keisuke Honda Offers to Coach Japan; Moriyasu Gets Six-Month Extension
Following Japan’s 2026 World Cup round-of-32 exit to Brazil, former star Keisuke Honda publicly offered to coach the national team for one year, vowing to resign if Japan loses the 2027 Asian Cup. Meanwhile, the Japan Football Association extended current coach Hajime Moriyasu’s contract by only six months, making him a transitional figure. The JFA plans to appoint U-21 coach Koji Oiwata as long-term successor, sparking internal debate over dual roles.
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Japan Extends Moriyasu Hajime's Contract for Six Months to Lead Team at 2027 Asian Cup
The Japan Football Association (JFA) has renewed head coach Hajime Moriyasu's contract for a six-month term, extending his tenure through the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia (January 7 to February 5, 2027). JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto explained the short-term arrangement as part of a 'inheritance and evolution' strategy, with U21 coach Go Oiwa set to concurrently take over senior team duties from March. Miyamoto emphasized winning the Asian Cup and improving FIFA rankings as top priorities. Moriyasu, who has coached Japan for a record 107 matches, stated the short contract does not affect his motivation, vowing to fully dedicate himself to winning the Asian Cup and contributing to Japanese football's development regardless of his future role.
Japan Football Association Revises 2030 World Cup Goal from Semifinals to Quarterfinals
The Japan Football Association (JFA) held a press conference on July 24 in Tokyo, announcing a short-term contract renewal for head coach Hajime Moriyasu until the 2027 Asian Cup. JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto admitted disappointment with Japan's round of 16 exit at the 2026 World Cup. He revealed that the JFA has revised its long-standing 2030 World Cup goal from reaching the semifinals to reaching the quarterfinals, citing changes in the tournament format (increased number of teams) and overall environment since the original 2005 declaration. Miyamoto emphasized the need for comprehensive improvement in youth development, national team strengthening, and talent scouting, based on data analysis identifying gaps between Japan and quarterfinalists. After the Asian Cup, U21 coach Go Oiwa will take over the senior team.
Japan National Team to Face Only South American Teams in Second Half of Year, Including Brazil and Uruguay
According to Japanese media Sports Nippon, the Japan Football Association has decided to schedule all six friendly matches in the second half of the year against South American teams, including Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay. The board meeting in Tokyo approved a six-month contract extension for head coach Hajime Moriyasu, lasting until the Saudi Arabia Asian Cup in early 2025. From March next year, U21 coach Go Oiwa will concurrently serve as national team head coach. Japan will play four matches from September 24 to October 5 against Uruguay, Ecuador, and Peru, then travel to Singapore in November for a four-nation invitational tournament featuring Brazil, Paraguay, Singapore, and Japan. Historically, Japan has struggled against South American teams in World Cups (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses). The association hopes these matches will help the team overcome its psychological disadvantage and facilitate a smooth coaching transition to Oiwa.
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Hajime Moriyasu Renews Contract with Japan Football Association for Six Months
The Japan Football Association announced on July 23rd that head coach Hajime Moriyasu has renewed his contract for six months, extending his tenure until the end of the 2027 Asian Cup. After the Asian Cup, U23 head coach Go Oiwa will take over as head coach, leading the team until the 2030 World Cup. The announcement was made via Hupu, a Chinese sports media platform. The article also includes user comments discussing the rationale behind the short-term extension and praising Japanese football's long-term stability through youth development and smooth coaching transitions.
Japan Football Association to Extend Moriyasu's Contract for Six Months, He Will Lead Team in 2027 Asian Cup
According to Nikkan Sports, the Japan Football Association (JFA) is expected to approve a six-month contract extension for head coach Hajime Moriyasu at a board meeting on July 23. Moriyasu will lead Japan in the 2027 Saudi Asian Cup (January-February), but JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has informed him the contract will not be renewed regardless of results. The leading successor is U-21 coach Tsuyoshi Oiwa, who is also targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The JFA is internally divided over whether Oiwa should serve full-time as senior national team coach or dual-role as both national and Olympic coach, a model used by predecessors Troussier and Moriyasu. The situation is complicated by the reduction of Asia's Olympic quota from 3.5 to 2, increasing pressure on the Olympic qualifiers. Oiwa is hesitant about leaving his assistant Kenji Haneda, and a compromise involving coach Hiroshi Nanami joining the staff is being considered. Moriyasu and Oiwa met on July 17 to facilitate the transition.
Japan Coach Moriyasu Agrees to Six-Month Extension Until 2027 Asian Cup
According to Japanese media Nikkan Sports, Japan national football team head coach Hajime Moriyasu has agreed to a six-month contract extension, staying on until the end of the 2027 Saudi Arabia Asian Cup. The Japan Football Association (JFA), led by President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, proposed the short-term arrangement, which Moriyasu accepted via verbal agreement. However, the JFA has no plans for a long-term extension, even if Japan wins the Asian Cup. Instead, they intend to appoint a new head coach during the international match window in March next year. This makes Moriyasu effectively a 'transitional coach' for up to 13 remaining matches, a rare move in Japanese football that may draw external criticism.
Keisuke Honda Asks to Become Japan's National Team Coach
Following Japan's elimination from the 2026 World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the first knockout round, former national team star Keisuke Honda has publicly requested to become the next head coach. The Japanese federation is reportedly considering extending current coach Hajime Moriyasu's contract by one year as a transitional measure. Honda, via social media, offered to take charge for a year himself, stating that he would accept being fired without discussion if Japan loses the Asian Cup. The bold move by the 40-year-old legend has surprised the football world.
Keisuke Honda makes case to take the Japan job from Hajime Moriyasu after World Cup exit
Japan national team legend Keisuke Honda has publicly offered himself as the next head coach of the Samurai Blue, just days after Japan's round-of-32 elimination from the 2026 World Cup by Brazil. Honda posted on X, criticizing reports that the Japan Football Association is offering current boss Hajime Moriyasu only a one-year extension ahead of the Asian Cup. Honda argued that if the federation is merely looking for a stopgap, it should try him for one year, and offered to be fired without question if Japan loses the Asian Cup. The 40-year-old former midfielder, who earned 98 caps and played at three World Cups, previously coached Cambodia's national team while still an active player. He has also gained popularity as a blunt, offbeat World Cup commentator. Despite his pitch, the JFA is expected to retain Moriyasu, with U-21 coach Koji Oiwata reportedly considered as the long-term successor.
Keisuke Honda Offers to Coach Japan National Team for One Year, Says Fire Him If Asian Cup Fails
On July 2, Japanese media reported that the Japan Football Association offered a one-year contract extension to current coach Hajime Moriyasu. In response, former Japanese international Keisuke Honda publicly stated on social media that he is willing to coach the national team for one year on an interim basis. Honda argued that if the association's extension is merely a temporary solution due to a lack of suitable candidates, he should be given a chance. He boldly challenged the association, saying that if the team fails to win or perform well at the Asian Cup, he should be immediately fired with no complaints. The statement has sparked controversy, with some fans accusing him of staging a 'coup' against Moriyasu.