Japan World Cup 2026 Odds: Latest Betting Prices and Predictions

Japan are one of the leading Asian nations heading to the 2026 World Cup, but are yet to win a knockout game at the competition. They will be looking to change that this year as they have one of their best chances to reach the latter stages. We preview the odds of their chances to win the tournament, who will be their top scorer, and which stage they are most likely to fall at.

Japan 2026 World Cup Odds

Japan are available at 100/1 to win the 2026 World Cup, with the power and might of so many established European and South American nations to contend with. However, their fans will be confident in one of their most talented squads to outperform those odds.

Japan World Cup Fixtures

Check out the World Cup fixtures for Japan at the 2026 World Cup:

Japan Group F Odds

The Samurai Blue are in Group F at the 2026 World Cup, where they will meet the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden. They are second favourites, at a best price of 7/2, to win the group, which they did in 2022, as only the Netherlands are a shorter price to defeat them.

Japan Stage Of Elimination Odds

Although there are no detailed odds at this stage for Japan’s specific stage of elimination, you can bet on whether Japan will qualify from Group F. They are 4/9 to do so, while you can get 13/8 about them being knocked out in the group stage.

Japan 2026 World Cup Squad

Japan boast a squad full of talent ahead of World Cup 2026 and will be looking to make a serious impression in North America. Their star names may well be familiar to a number of English fans too, though Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma misses the tournament due to injury.

Japan 2026 World Cup Predicted XI

With a blend of experience and excitement, here is how we think Japan will line up for their opening game at the 2026 World Cup:

GK: Zion Suzuki

CB: Takehiro Tomiyasu

CB: Shogo Taniguchi

CB: Hiroki Ito

RB: Ao Tanaka

LB: Keito Nakamura

CM: Wataru Endo

CM: Daichi Kamada

AM: Ritsu Doan

AM: Junya Ito

FW: Ayase Ueda

Japan World Cup History

Japan’s history is almost unlike any other nation’s at the World Cup. They did not qualify until 1998, then made the knockout rounds for the first time in 2002, from which they have never looked back. They are now perennials at the World Cup, qualifying for every tournament since they made their debut in France.

However, qualifying from their group in four out of their seven World Cups, they have yet to make it beyond the round of 16, meeting with defeats to Turkey (2002), Paraguay (2010), Belgium (2018) and Croatia (2022). That said, they have been getting closer, heartbreakingly losing a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium in Russia, while Croatia only knocked Japan out on penalties at the most recent World Cup.

How Did Japan do at the Last World Cup?

Japan topped a group featuring Spain and Germany at the 2022 World Cup, only to bump into eventual semi-finalists, and 2018 runners-up, Croatia in the last 16. They lost 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Japan World Cup 2026 Prediction

Japan’s group stage draw has seen them avoid most of the massive powerhouses, though the Netherlands will be a tough team to beat. A first ever knockout round victory may await as long as they navigate their pool, with our prediction that Japan will reach the last 16.

World Cup 2026 Japan Odds FAQs