INFORMATION PODCAST: As the 2026 World Cup draws nearer, the Japan Football Association is actively seeking to integrate the Japanese national team into the competitive landscape of the UEFA, with a view to increasing the number of encounters with Europe's great powers.
According to the sports newspaper disclosed that, in view of the main players of the Japanese national team in the European league, frequent travel in Europe and Asia, they often encountered in the Asian tournament "cold". In view of this, the Japanese Football Association believes that joining the UEFA will not only allow players to reduce the pain of traveling, but also to refine the team's combat effectiveness.
It is worth mentioning that the JFA also plans to set up a training base in Düsseldorf, Germany, with the aim of strengthening exchanges with international players and European clubs.
Looking back to 2018, UEFA created the UEFA Nations League tournament, and since then, Japan has had few opportunities to play European teams during international competitions. So far, the only time Japan has gone head-to-head with a European team was when they beat Serbia 1-0 in 2021.
It's worth noting that it's not the first time an Asian team has joined a European tournament. 2018 World Cup hosts Qatar gained valuable experience by taking part in the European qualifiers. And Japan was also invited to the Copa America in 2019.
