Samurai Blue Stars: Key Players England Must Watch Against Japan
Japan's footballing prowess may not be globally recognized, but their potential to surprise is undeniable. Ranked 18th in the world, the Samurai Blue have made headlines by defeating giants like Spain and Germany during the last World Cup in Qatar. While they reached the knockout stage, they were eliminated by Croatia in a tense penalty shootout. As they prepare for the upcoming World Cup in North America, Japan faces England in a friendly after recently defeating Scotland 1-0, while England drew 1-1 with Uruguay. Key players to watch out for include: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) - Age: 28 - Position: Winger - Caps: 29 - Mitoma has made a significant impact in the Premier League, scoring 26 goals and providing 21 assists in 130 appearances. He set a record for the most goals by a Japanese player in a single English top-flight season and scored the crucial winning goal against Spain in the last World Cup. Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) - Age: 29 - Position: Midfielder - Caps: 49 - As Crystal Palace's first Japanese player, Kamada has been instrumental in midfield, known for his dribbling skills and link-up play. Despite a hamstring injury, he played all four matches for Japan at the last World Cup. Ao Tanaka (Leeds United) - Age: 27 - Position: Central Midfielder - Caps: 35 - A key player for Leeds, Tanaka scored the winning goal against Spain in the 2022 World Cup, helping Japan top their group. This season, he has made 24 appearances and remains crucial as Leeds fights against relegation. With such talent at their disposal, Japan could pose a serious challenge for England this summer.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-31