Japan has long been a consistent force in youth football, regularly qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup™, but the ultimate prize has so far eluded them. In fact, the Samurai Blue have reached the semi-finals only once in their 11 previous appearances, back in 1999, when a golden generation featuring Shinji Ono, Yasuhito Endo, and Junichi Inamoto stormed their way to the final.
Now, a new wave of Japanese talent is set to take the stage in Chile 2025, eager to leave their mark on the world’s biggest youth football showpiece.
The Road to Chile
Japan secured their place at the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup in China PR. Although they fell 2-0 to eventual champions Australia, their penalty shootout win over Iran in the quarter-finals was enough to secure one of Asia’s four spots.
Group A Fixtures – Japan at FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025
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27 September – Japan vs Egypt (17:00, Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos)
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30 September – Chile vs Japan (20:00, Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos)
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3 October – New Zealand vs Japan (20:00, Estadio Elias Figueroa Brander)
All times local.
The Coach: Yuzo Funakoshi
At the helm of this promising side is Yuzo Funakoshi, a towering former striker from Kobe who enjoyed spells at clubs including Gamba Osaka, Shonan Bellmare, Oita Trinita, Albirex Niigata, Tokyo Verdy, and SC Sagamihara.
Following retirement, Funakoshi made a smooth transition into coaching, cutting his teeth with youth academies before taking charge of Japan’s U-17s and later progressing alongside his players through the age categories.
Now leading the U-20 squad, Funakoshi combines strict tactical discipline with a touch of humor, earning the trust and respect of his players. His leadership was pivotal in guiding Japan to the Asian Cup semi-finals, ensuring qualification for Chile 2025.
Star Player: Rion Ichihara
Among the standout names is Rion Ichihara, a commanding defender whose presence has become the backbone of Japan’s backline. Standing strong both aerially and on the ground, Ichihara’s intelligence and versatility make him invaluable.
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Plays for Omiya Ardija
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Instrumental in their promotion from J-3 League
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Featured in the division’s Best XI with four goals in 31 appearances
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Captained Japan at the 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup
Ichihara can operate both as a centre-back and a defensive midfielder, drawing comparisons with senior international Ko Itakura. His leadership, technique, and forward-passing ability make him the heartbeat of this Japanese squad.
One to Watch: Yuto Ozeki
If Ichihara is the defensive rock, then Yuto Ozeki is the creative spark. The Kawasaki Frontale midfielder has a wide field of vision, dictating play with intelligent passing and an eye for clever through balls.
Ozeki’s ability to build momentum in midfield and deliver decisive final passes makes him a nightmare for opposition defenses. But he’s not just a creator — he’s also a scorer. His composure in front of goal and ability to finish with both feet were on display when he scored against Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals, proving his big-game temperament.
Other Rising Talents
The current squad also boasts an exciting array of names making headlines in the J-League and abroad. Players like Ryunosuke Sato, Soichiro Mori, Yudai Shimamoto, and Niko Takahashi are already gaining valuable top-flight experience and will look to shine on the global stage.
Japan’s Ambition
For Japan, Chile 2025 represents more than just participation. With a mix of domestic stars and Europe-based youngsters, the Samurai Blue have the potential to push beyond the group stage and challenge for knockout success.
The question is: can this new generation repeat the heroics of 1999, or even go one better?