Japan FA revises 2030 World Cup goal from semifinals to quarterfinals

Hupu, July 24 – The Japan Football Association (JFA) held a press conference at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Minato-ku, Tokyo on July 24 regarding the Japan national team head coach position. JFA President Kiyoshi Miyamoto (49), Technical Committee Chairman and National Team Director Masakuni Yamamoto (68), and Japan national team head coach Hajime Moriyasu (57) attended.

Following a board meeting on July 23, the JFA announced on the same day that it had renewed a short-term contract with Moriyasu. He will continue to lead the team until the Asian Cup, which opens in Saudi Arabia next January. After the Asian Cup, current Japan U21 national team head coach Go Oiwa (54) – who is preparing the team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics – will take over as head coach of the senior Japan national team.

World Cup Exit and Contract Decision

Commenting on Japan’s exit in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Miyamoto said:

"Exiting in the round of 16 is clearly not the result we were aiming for; we had hoped to go further."

He admitted that the JFA was not satisfied with this outcome.

However, Miyamoto also revealed that the JFA had informed Moriyasu as early as March that his contract would extend through the end of the World Cup. Later that same month, the JFA changed its decision, hoping Moriyasu would continue coaching until the Asian Cup, and formally proposed a short-term contract extension in May. Therefore, this renewal was not based on the World Cup results.

2030 World Cup Goals

When asked about the JFA’s goals for the 2030 World Cup – co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco – Miyamoto stated:

"Through this World Cup, we have come to realize more deeply that we must comprehensively improve our strength in all areas. Whether it’s youth development, national team strengthening, or talent scouting, we must steadily advance. This is not just for the next World Cup; it is work we must always prioritize going forward."

Miyamoto also added:

"Through data analysis, we have identified some gaps between Japan and the quarterfinalists of this World Cup. Moving forward, we need to use this data as a reference and strive to match or even surpass the levels of this year’s quarterfinalists in various metrics."

"Japan has never reached the World Cup quarterfinals. After watching the quarterfinals and semifinals of this World Cup, I believe the level of play is indeed very high. Our earlier statement during the World Cup about 'seeing a new landscape' likely refers to reaching the quarterfinals, so we will set that as a goal for now."

Adjustment of Long-Term Targets

Miyamoto then explained why the JFA had "lowered" its original target. He said:

"The JFA announced as early as 2005 that its goal was to reach the World Cup semifinals by 2030. However, with the increase in the number of participating teams and changes in the overall environment since then, I believe it is necessary to adjust the target at this stage."

In the "JFA 2005 Declaration" released in January 2005, the JFA listed "hosting the World Cup in Japan and having the Japan national team win the tournament" as one of its "JFA 2050 Commitments."

In 2015, the JFA formulated the "JFA 2030 Goals," which included: "The Japan national team will consistently participate in the World Cup and reach the semifinals by 2030."

Source: Yahoo Japan