Nagoya, Japan, July 27, 2026: The Asian Games men’s football tournament is often viewed as a pathway to the Olympic team and eventually the full national team and the FIFA World Cup.
Proof of this came at the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States when Japan reached the Round of 32 before being eliminated 2-1 by Brazil.
In a recent Facebook post, Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games organising committee AINAGOC highlights three players from the Samurai Blue World Cup squad who all won silver medals at the Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang 2018.
“Do you remember? Ayase Ueda, who was then a second-year university student, Ko Itakura and Daizen Maeda - who are now key figures in Japanese football - were among the warriors who wore the Japan crest and lit up the pitch at the 2018 Jakarta Games.
“Leading the team was none other than head coach Hajime Moriyasu,” the post added, referring to Japan’s head coach at the World Cup.
“The Asian Games are truly the ultimate launchpad where the future stars of Japanese football are born.
“Come and witness the historic moment when tomorrow's heroes are born - at Toyota Stadium and venues across the region.”
Ueda, 27, plays for Feyenoord and scored two goals at the recent World Cup.
Itakura, a central defender or holding midfielder with Ajax Amsterdam, is Japan’s captain, while Maeda, 28, recently completed a 10 million-pound transfer from Celtic to Ipswich Town.
Japan have been drawn with Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong China in Group A of the men’s football tournament at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
Group B comprises China, United Arab Emirates, Iran and DPR Korea, while Group C consists of Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Philippines and Kuwait. Group D is: Republic of Korea, Saudia Arabia and Qatar.