Japan women's national football team

Summary

The Japan women's national football team (Japanese: サッカー日本女子代表, Hepburn: Sakkā Nippon Joshi Daihyō), commonly known as Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン),[3] represents Japan in women's association football and is run by the Japan Football Association (JFA). The only country to win every FIFA competition and the most successful women's national team in the Asian Football Confederation, its highest ranking in the FIFA Women's World Rankings is 3rd, achieved in December 2011.[4]

Japan
Nickname(s)なでしこジャパン (Nadeshiko Japan)
AssociationJapan Football Association
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationEAFF (East Asia)
Head coachFutoshi Ikeda
CaptainSaki Kumagai
Most capsHomare Sawa (205)
Top scorerHomare Sawa (83)
FIFA codeJPN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 7 Increase 1 (15 March 2024)[1]
Highest3 (December 2011 – September 2014)
Lowest14 (July 2003 – March 2004)
First international
 Chinese Taipei 1–0 Japan 
(British Hong Kong; 7 June 1981)
Biggest win
 Japan 21–0 Guam 
(Guangzhou, China; 5 December 1997)
Biggest defeat
 Italy 9–0 Japan 
(Tokyo, Japan; 9 September 1981)[2]
 United States 9–0 Japan 
(Charlotte, United States; 29 April 1999)[2]
World Cup
Appearances9 (first in 1991)
Best resultChampions (2011)
Olympic Games
Appearances5 (first in 1996)
Best resultRunners-up (2012)
Asian Cup
Appearances17 (first in 1977)
Best resultChampions (2014, 2018)

Nadeshiko Japan defeated the United States in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, thus claiming their first FIFA Women's World Cup title, becoming the first Asian team to do so and only the fourth women's world champions.[5] It won silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, making it the only Asian team to have three combined medals from international championships.[6] It also won gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cups, the 2010 and 2018 Asian Games, and the 2008, 2010, and 2019 EAFF Football Championships.

History edit

1970s and 1980s edit

During the 1970s, the number of women football players and teams increased in Japan, and teams made up regional leagues in various parts of Japan. In 1977, a team representing Japan participated in its first international tournament, the 1977 AFC Women's Championship. But this team was not actually a national team, since the Japan Football Association dispatched a club team, FC Jinnan as its representative.[7][8] In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held. In 1981, the Japan Football Association formed the first national team for the 1981 AFC Women's Championship[9] and Seiki Ichihara managed as the first Japan national team manager.[2] The first match against Chinese Taipei on 7 June at this tournament was the first match for a Japan national team.[2] In 1984, a national team was gathered for the first time in three years for a China expedition, with Takao Orii managing the squad.[2]

In January 1986, Ryohei Suzuki became the first full-time manager for the national team. In December, Japan won 2nd place at the 1986 AFC Women's Championship. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" (abbreviated to "L. League") was established, and the women's national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China.

Verge of decline edit

Japan women's national football team attended various championship tournaments such as the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup which had made the national team and the L.League very popular. However, in 1999, Japan failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics, and along with economic stagnation (Lost Decade) this helped cause the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women's football was on the verge of decline.

Regeneration edit

In August 2002, the Japan Football Association appointed Eiji Ueda, who had been coach for the Macau national football team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team at first went through a losing streak, but Ueda gradually improved the team, and it eventually gained wide support in Japan. In particular, a game against Korea DPR, which decided who would participate in the 2004 Olympics, not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV.

Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. "Nadeshiko", a kind of dianthus, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").

2003 and 2007 World Cup edit

Japan faced Germany, Canada and Argentina for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Beginning with a 6–0 thrashing of newcomer Argentina, Japan subsequently fell 3–0 to the eventual champions Germany, followed by a loss of 3–1 to Canada, the team that ultimately finished 4th.

In the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, they again faced Germany and Argentina, with England making up the group. They started with a 2–2 draw against England, before beating Argentina 1–0. A 2–0 defeat to reigning champion Germany again eliminated Japan from the group stage.

Golden Period (2011–2015) edit

2011 World Cup edit

 
The Japan team thanking fans for their support for the humanitarian response to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami after their World Cup win[10][11]

Japan qualified for the finals by finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup. After finishing second in their group behind England, Japan beat two-time defending champion and host nation Germany 1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeating Sweden 3–1 to reach the final.

After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan beat the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup, and the first Asian team to win a senior FIFA title.[12][13] It came right after men's team won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, marked their most successful year in Japanese football.

2012 Summer Olympics edit

Japan qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by finishing first in the Asian qualifier in September 2011, only 6 weeks after winning the Women's World Cup. At the Olympics, after finishing second in their group behind Sweden, Nadeshiko Japan defeated Brazil 2–0 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 2–1 victory over France, whom Nadeshiko had lost to in a friendly match right before the Olympics, to reach the final.

In a rematch of the World Cup final, Japan was defeated in the Olympic final by a score of 2–1 against the United States, allowing two goals to Carli Lloyd in the 8th and 54th minutes. Yūki Ōgimi scored the lone goal for Japan.[14]

The Japan Football Association (JFA) was accused of sexism, after flying the men's Olympic team on business class and the women's team on economy class.[15]

 
Nadeshiko, 2013

2014 Asian Cup edit

Despite having won a FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, Japan entered the 2014 Asian Cup having never previously won the tournament. They were drawn with Asia's Queen Australia, host Vietnam and newcomer Jordan.[citation needed] Their first match in the group stage of the tournament resulted in a 2–2 draw against the defending champion Australia.[16] Also in the group stage, Japan upset host Vietnam by a 4–0 win before defeating Jordan with a 7–0 win to finish first with a higher goal difference.[citation needed]

In the semi-final, Japan beat eight-time champions China 2–1 after 120'. In the final, they met Australia once again and successfully earned a 1–0 win with Azusa Iwashimizu's goal. This marked the first time for Japan to become "Queen of Asia". They became the first Asian team to subsequently win both the FIFA Women's World Cup and AFC Women's Asian Cup.[citation needed] Because of their top placement in the tournament, Japan, Australia, China, South Korea and newcomer Thailand secured their spot at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup to be played in Canada the following year.[17]

2015 World Cup edit

 
The national teams of Japan and the United States at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

Japan, then fourth in the world, was drawn into Group C for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, with tournament debutants Ecuador, Switzerland, and Cameroon. Japan won all three games, securing passage into the Round of 16, where they drew yet another tournament debutant in the Netherlands. Saori Ariyoshi and Mizuho Sakaguchi scored goals for Japan, and they ultimately survived a couple of nervy moments to get into the quarterfinals. Against Australia, Japan once again used their technical possession game to frustrate The Matildas and negate their speed. Mana Iwabuchi notched the only goal of the game three minutes from time to send Japan to the semifinals.

Against England in the semifinals, Nadeshiko Japan was able to survive against the tenacious Lionesses, as the two teams traded goals from the penalty spot (Aya Miyama for Japan, Fara Williams for England). Deadlocked from the 40th minute on, Japan got a truly fortunate break as English centre back Laura Bassett, in trying to clear out a Japan cross, ended up scoring an own-goal at the death. This set up a rematch with the United States from the 2011 Women's World Cup.

Unfortunately for Japan, the Americans came out flying and scored four goals in the first 16 minutes of the match, with American midfielder Carli Lloyd scoring a hat trick in the process. Yuki Ogimi brought Japan one back in the 27th minute, and an own goal from Julie Johnston halved the American lead, but Tobin Heath put the final touch on the United States' third Women's World Cup victory.

Brief decline (2016–2021) edit

2019 World Cup edit

While Japan remains on a title and a runners-up spot at the last two editions of the World Cup as well as a runner-up spot at the 2012 Olympics, it failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics while the World Cup 2019 sees the country of the Rising Sun being knocked out pretty quickly. Nadeshiko Japan, who no longer benefit from the surprise effect unlike previous tournaments, passed the first round without glory, with a narrow victory over Scotland (2–1) a goalless draw against Argentina (0-0) as well as a defeat against England (2–0) in the last group match for first place in group D. The Japanese find the Netherlands at the same stage of the competition as there is 4 years old, but the confrontation this time turns to the advantage of the Oranje who take their revenge and eliminated Japan by the same score by which they had lost in 2015 (2–1).

Olympic Games in 2021 at home edit

Japan is encountering the same difficulties during the 2020 Olympic Games organized at home and postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In front of their public, Japan passed the first round with difficulty, with a victory snatched in extremis on the edge of the last quarter of an hour of the game on the last day against Chile (1–0) to finish among the 2 best 3rd in the group, having had a few scares with a header from the Chilean Francisca Lara having rebounded on the goal line without crossing it just after hitting the bar,[18] and this shortly before the saving Japanese goal. Japan, which had in the meantime struggled against the other top names in the group (1–1 draw against Canada after being behind and missing a penalty, 1–0 defeat against Great Britain), confirms its difficulties against to the big teams like this first round and the 2019 World Cup by falling in the next round against Sweden (3–1).

2023 World Cup edit

 
Japan playing against Spain at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Wellington, New Zealand

Japan finished first in Group C with Spain, Zambia and Costa Rica, winning all three group games, scoring 11 goals and conceded none. Japan's technical mastery made a strong impression in particular in her 4–0 victory against Spain, the eventual champion. That was a landmark match that broke long-held FIFA records. Japan women's 23% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA Women's World Cup since 2011. This is often compared to Japan 2-1 Spain in 2022 FIFA World Cup Group E, which Japan's 18% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA World Cup since 1966.[19][20][21] Match statistics reflected Japan women was more incisive and efficient, with only 23% possession, their expected goal (xG) was 0.9 vs 0.7, shots attempted were 7 vs 10, shots on target were 5 vs 2, and goals scored were 4 vs 0.[22]

In the knockout stage, Japan was able to beat Norway 3–1[23] and advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015. Facing Sweden, another Scandinavian in the quarter-finals, Japan was hailed as favorite due to their four consecutive wins at this World Cup, but, unfortunately for the Nadeshiko, they were unable to create as many chances as they did against Norway. Japan found themselves trailing by 2 goals to nothing at halftime, and Honoka Hayashi's goal in the 87th minute ended as the only effort Japan could effectively turn into a goal. Losing by 2–1, they were eliminated from the World Cup, and the second time in succession that Japan fell to Sweden in a major competition, as they were also eliminated at the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics just two years prior, on 2021.

Team image edit

Nicknames edit

The Japan women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Nadeshiko Japan".

Home stadium edit

Japan play its home matches among various stadiums, in rotation, around the country.

Rivalries edit

South Korea edit

The Japan and South Korea national football teams are sporting rivals.

North Korea edit

The Japan and North Korea national football teams are AFC's rivals.

China edit

The Japan and China national football teams are AFC's rivals.

Australia edit

The Japan and Australia national soccer teams are AFC's rivals.

United States edit

The Japan and United States are sporting rivals.

Overall competitive record edit

  • All results list Japan goal tally first.
  • Goal scorers are sorted alphabetically.
  • Colors gold, silver, and bronze indicate first-, second-, and third-place finishes.

Overall record edit

Competition Stage Result Opponent Position Scorers
  1981 Asian Championship Round 1 0–1   Chinese Taipei 3 / 4
0–2   Thailand
1–0   Indonesia Handa
  1986 Asian Championship Round 1 0–2   China 2 / 3
10–0   Malaysia Takakura (2), Nagamine (4), Kioka (2), Tezuka, Matsuda
Semifinals 4–0   Thailand Kioka, Nagamine, Noda, Matsuda
Final 0–2   China
  1989 Asian Championship Round 1 3–0   Hong Kong 1 / 4
11–0   Indonesia
14–0   Nepal
Semifinals 0–1   Chinese Taipei
Third place 9–0   Hong Kong
  1990 Asian Games Main Round 0–5   China
5–0   Hong Kong
8–1   South Korea
1–1   North Korea
3–1   Chinese Taipei 2 / 6
  1991 Asian Championship Round 1 1–0   North Korea 1 / 5
4–1   Hong Kong
12–0   Malaysia
12–0   Singapore
Semifinals 0–0 (PSO: 5–4)   Chinese Taipei
Final 0–5   China
  1991 World Cup Round 1 0–1   Brazil 4 / 4
0–8   Sweden
0–3   United States
  1993 Asian Championship Round 1 6–1   Chinese Taipei 1 / 4
15–0   Philippines
4–0   Hong Kong
Semifinals 1–3   China
Final 3–0   Chinese Taipei
  1994 Asian Games Round 1 1–1   China 2 / 4
3–0   Chinese Taipei
5–0   South Korea
Final 0–2   China
  1995 World Cup Round 1 0–1   Germany 3 / 4
2–1   Brazil
0–2   Sweden
Quarterfinals 0–4   United States
  1995 Asian Championship Round 1 1–0   South Korea 1 / 4
6–0   India
17–0   Uzbekistan
Semifinals 3–0   Chinese Taipei
Final 0–2   China
  1996 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–3   Germany 4 / 4
0–2   Brazil
0–4   Norway
  1997 Asian Championship Round 1 21–0   Guam 1 / 4
1–0   India
9–0   Hong Kong
Semifinals 0–1   North Korea
Third place 2–0   Chinese Taipei
  1998 Asian Games Round 1 6–0   Thailand 2 / 4
2–3   North Korea
8–0   Vietnam
Semifinals 0–3   China
Third place 2–1   Chinese Taipei
  1999 World Cup Round 1 1–1   Canada 4 / 4
0–5   Russia
0–4   Norway
  1999 Asian Championship Round 1 9–0   Thailand 1 / 5
5–1   Uzbekistan
14–0   Nepal
6–0   Philippines
Semifinals 0–2   Chinese Taipei
Third place 2–3   North Korea
  2001 Asian Championship Round 1 14–0   Singapore 2 / 5
11–0   Guam
0–1   North Korea
3–1   Vietnam
Semifinals 2–1   South Korea
Final 0–2   North Korea
  2002 Asian Games Main round 0–1   North Korea
3–0   Vietnam
1–0   South Korea
2–2   China
2–0   Chinese Taipei 3 / 6
  2003 Asian Championship Round 1 15–0   Philippines 1 / 5
7–0   Guam
7–0   Myanmar
5–0   Chinese Taipei
Semifinals 0–3   North Korea
Third place 0–1   South Korea
  2003 World Cup Round 1 6–0   Argentina 3 / 4
0–3   Germany
1–3   Canada
  2004 Summer Olympics Round 1 1–0   Sweden 3 / 3
0–1   Nigeria
Quarterfinals 1–2   United States Awarded the Fair Play Award
  2005 East Asian Championship Main Round 0–1   North Korea
0–0   China
0–0   South Korea 3 / 4 Awarded the Fair Play Award
  2006 Asian Games Round 1 13–0   Jordan 1 / 4
4–0   Thailand
1–0   China
Semifinals 3–1   South Korea
Final 0–0 (PSO: 2–4)   South Korea
  2006 Asian Championship Round 1 5–0   Vietnam 1 / 4
11–1   Chinese Taipei
1–0   China
Semifinals 0–2   Australia
Third place 2–3   North Korea
  2007 World Cup Round 1 2–2   England 3 / 4
1–0   Argentina
0–2   Germany
  2008 East Asian Championship Main Round 3–2   North Korea
2–0   South Korea
3–0   China 1 / 4
  2008 Asian Cup Round 1 1–3   South Korea 1 / 4
11–0   Chinese Taipei
3–1   Australia
Semifinals 1–3   China
Third place 3–0   Australia
2008 Summer Olympics qualification Final round 2–0   Vietnam 1 / 4
4–0   Thailand
6–1   South Korea
  2008 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–2   New Zealand 3 / 4
0–1   United States
5–1   Norway
Quarterfinals 2–0   China
Semifinals 2–4   United States
Third place 0–2   Germany
  2010 East Asian Championship Round 1 2–0   China
3–0   Chinese Taipei
2–1   South Korea 1 / 4
  2010 Asian Cup Round 1 8–0   Myanmar 1 / 4
4–0   Thailand
2–1   North Korea
Semifinals 0–1   Australia
Third place 2–0   China
  2010 Asian Games Round 1 4–0   Thailand 1 / 3
0–0   North Korea
Semifinals 1–0   China
Final 1–0   North Korea
  2011 World Cup Round 1 2–1   New Zealand 2 / 4
4–0   Mexico
0–2   England
Quarterfinals 1–0   Germany
Semifinals 3–1   Sweden
Final 2–2 (PSO: 3–1)   United States Awarded the Fair Play Award
2012 Summer Olympics qualification Final round 3–0   Thailand
2–1   South Korea
1–0   Australia
1–1   North Korea
1–0   China
  2012 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–1   Canada 2 / 4
0–0   Sweden
0–0   South Africa
Quarterfinals 2–0   Brazil
Semifinals 2–1   France
Finals 1–2   United States
  2013 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup Final round 2–0   China
0–0   North Korea
1–2   South Korea
  2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 2–2   Australia 1 / 4
4–0   Vietnam
7–0   Jordan
Semifinals 2–1   China PR
Final 1–0   Australia Awarded the Fair Play Award
  2015 World Cup Round 1 1–0   Switzerland 1 / 4
2–1   Cameroon
1–0   Ecuador
Round of 16 2–1   Netherlands
Quarterfinals 1–0   Australia
Semifinals 2–1   England
Final 2–5   United States
  2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 4–0   Vietnam 2 / 4
0–0   South Korea
1–1   Australia
Semi-finals 3–1   China
Final 1–0   Australia Awarded the Fair Play Award
  2018 Asian Games Round 1 2–0   Thailand 1 / 3
7–0   Vietnam
Quarter-finals 2–1   North Korea
Semi-finals 2–1   South Korea
Final 1–0   China
  2019 World Cup Round 1 0–0   Argentina 2 / 4
2–1   Scotland
0–2   England
Round of 16 1–2   Netherlands
  2020 Summer Olympics Round 1 1–1   Canada 3 / 4
0–1   Great Britain
1–0   Chile
Quarterfinals 1–3   Sweden
  2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 5–0   Myanmar 1 / 4
3–0   Vietnam
1–1   South Korea
Quarterfinals 7–0   Thailand
Semifinals 2–2 (PSO: 3–4)   China
  2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship (women) Final round 2–1   South Korea
4–1   Chinese Taipei
0–0   China 1 / 4


source:[24]

Results and fixtures edit

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  • Historical results (2010–present) – JFA.jp
Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2023 edit

7 April International friendly Portugal   1–2   Japan Guimarães, Portugal
17:00 UTC+1
  • Capeta   25'
Report (JFA)
Stadium: Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
11 April International friendly Denmark   1–0   Japan Odense, Denmark
18:00 UTC+2
Report (JFA) Stadium: Odense Stadium
14 July MS & AD Cup Japan   5–0   Panama Sendai, Japan
19:05 UTC+9
Source Stadium: Yurtec Stadium Sendai
22 July 2023 FIFA World Cup GS Zambia   0–5   Japan Hamilton, New Zealand
19:00 UTC+12 Report
Stadium: Waikato Stadium
Attendance: 16,111
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden)
26 July 2023 FIFA World Cup GS Japan   2–0   Costa Rica Dunedin, New Zealand
17:00 UTC+12
Report Stadium: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 6,992
Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy)
31 July 2023 FIFA World Cup GS Japan   4–0   Spain Wellington, New Zealand
19:00 UTC+12
Report Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Attendance: 20,957
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva (United States)
5 August 2023 FIFA World Cup R16 Japan   3–1   Norway Wellington, New Zealand
20:00 UTC+12
Report
Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Attendance: 33,042
Referee: Edina Alves Batista (Brazil)
11 August 2023 FIFA World Cup QF Japan   1–2   Sweden Auckland, New Zealand
19:30 UTC+12
Report
Stadium: Eden Park
Attendance: 43,217
Referee: Esther Staubli (Switzerland)
23 September International friendly Japan   8–0   Argentina Kitakyushu, Japan
12:00 UTC+9
Report (JFA) Stadium: Kitakyushu Stadium
Attendance: 7,265
Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (South Korea)
26 October 2024 Olympic Qualifiers R2 Japan   7–0   India Tashkent, Uzbekistan
15:00 UTC+5
Report Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium
29 October 2024 Olympic Qualifiers R2 Uzbekistan   0–2   Japan Tashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5 Report
Stadium: Bunyodkor Stadium
1 November 2024 Olympic Qualifiers R2 Japan   2–0   Vietnam Tashkent, Uzbekistan
15:00 UTC+5
Report Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium
30 November Friendly Brazil   4–3   Japan São Paulo, Brazil
15:15 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Arena Corinthians
Referee: María Victoria Daza [es] (Colombia)
3 December Friendly Brazil   0–2   Japan São Paulo, Brazil
11:00 UTC−3 Report
Stadium: Estádio do Morumbi
  • Fixtures & Results (2023), JFA.jp

2024 edit

24 February 2024 Olympic Qualifiers R3 North Korea   0–0   Japan Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
16:04 UTC+3 Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium
28 February 2024 Olympic Qualifiers R3 Japan   2–1
(2–1 agg.)
  North Korea Tokyo, Japan
18:30 UTC+9 Stadium: Japan National Stadium
6 April SheBelieves Cup SF United States   v   Japan Atlanta, United States
12:30 ET Report Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
9 April SheBelieves Cup 3rd/F Japan   v TBD Columbus, United States
16:00 ET Report Stadium: Lower.com Field
4 June Friendly Japan   v   Colombia Osaka, Japan
Stadium: Nagai Stadium
25 July 2024 Olympic Games GS Spain   v   Japan Nantes, France
Stadium: Stade de la Beaujoire
28 July 2024 Olympic Games GS Brazil   v   Japan Paris, France
Stadium: Parc de Princes
  • Fixtures & Results (2024), JFA.jp

All-time results edit

  • The following table shows Japan women's all-time international record, correct as of 3 December 2023.
Against Played Won Drawn Lost GS GC
Total 308 171 48 88 669 337
  • Source: Worldfootball.net

Head-to-head record edit

As of 3 December 2023, after the match against   Brazil.

Coaching staff edit

Current coaching staff edit

As of 13 June 2023.
Role Name Start date Ref.
Head coach   Futoshi Ikeda 1 October 2021 [27][28]
Assistant coach   Tomomi Miyamoto
Assistant coach   Kensuke Teraguchi
GK coach   Toshihiro Nishiiri
Physical coach   Keisuke Otsuka
Technical staff   Kei Mihara
  • Players & Staffs (2024), JFA.jp

Manager history edit

Name Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Winning % Notes Ref.
  Seiki Ichihara (市原 聖曠) 1981 0 0 0 0 0%
  Takao Orii (折井 孝男) 1984 0 0 0 0 0%
  Ryohei Suzuki (鈴木 良平) 1986–1989 0 0 0 0 0%
  Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内 聡) 1997–1999 0 0 0 0 0%
  Shinobu Ikeda (池田 司信) 2000–2001 0 0 0 0 0%
  Eiji Ueda (上田 栄治) 2002–2004 0 0 0 0 0%
  Hiroshi Ohashi (大橋 浩司) 2004–2008 0 0 0 0 0%
  Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫) 2008–2016 0 0 0 0 0%
  Asako Takakura (高倉 麻子) 2016–2021 0 0 0 0 0% [24]
  Futoshi Ikeda (池田 太) 2021–present 33 21 4 8 55.56% [29]
As of 3 December 2023, after the match against   Brazil.

Players edit

Current squad edit

The following 22 players were named to the squad for the 2024 SheBelieves Cup.[30]

Caps and goals are correct as of 28 February 2024, after the match against   North Korea.[31]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Ayaka Yamashita (山下 杏也加) (1995-09-29) 29 September 1995 (age 28) 67 0   INAC Kobe Leonessa
1GK Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳) (1996-12-31) 31 December 1996 (age 27) 7 0   Albirex Niigata
1GK Momoko Tanaka (田中 桃子) (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24) 7 0   Tokyo Verdy Beleza

Saki Kumagai (熊谷 紗希) (1990-10-17) 17 October 1990 (age 33) 149 2   Roma
Mina Tanaka (田中 美南) (1994-04-28) 28 April 1994 (age 29) 77 34   INAC Kobe Leonessa
Risa Shimizu (清水 梨紗) (1996-06-15) 15 June 1996 (age 27) 75 4   West Ham United
Kiko Seike (清家 貴子) (1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 (age 27) 18 6   Urawa Reds
Miyabi Moriya (守屋 都弥) (1996-08-22) 22 August 1996 (age 27) 6 2   INAC Kobe Leonessa
Mami Ueno (上野 真実) (1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 (age 27) 11 1   Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
Yui Hasegawa (長谷川 唯) (1997-01-29) 29 January 1997 (age 27) 80 20   Manchester City
Hina Sugita (杉田 妃和) (1997-01-31) 31 January 1997 (age 27) 46 3   Portland Thorns
Hikaru Kitagawa (北川ひかる) (1997-05-10) 10 May 1997 (age 26) 7 0   INAC Kobe Leonessa
Honoka Hayashi (林 穂之香) (1998-05-19) 19 May 1998 (age 25) 31 2   West Ham United
Moeka Minami (南 萌華) (1998-12-07) 7 December 1998 (age 25) 48 4   Roma
Fuka Nagano (長野 風花) (1999-03-09) 9 March 1999 (age 25) 35 1   Liverpool
Riko Ueki (植木 理子) (1999-07-30) 30 July 1999 (age 24) 32 11   West Ham United
Hinata Miyazawa (宮澤 ひなた) (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24) 33 9   Manchester United
Rion Ishikawa (石川 璃音) (2003-07-04) 4 July 2003 (age 20) 6 0   Urawa Reds
Aoba Fujino (藤野 あおば) (2004-01-27) 27 January 2004 (age 20) 19 4   Tokyo Verdy Beleza
Maika Hamano (浜野 まいか) (2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 (age 19) 6 0   Chelsea
Tōko Koga (古賀 塔子) (2006-01-06) 6 January 2006 (age 18) 4 0   Feyenoord
Momoko Tanikawa (谷川 萌々子) (2005-05-07) 7 May 2005 (age 18) 3 0   Rosengård

(Players are listed within position group by order of kit number, seniority, caps, goals, and then alphabetically)

Recent call-ups edit

The following players have been named to the squad in the past 12 months.[32]

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Momoko Tanaka (田中 桃子) (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24) 7 0   Tokyo Verdy Beleza v.   North Korea, 28 February 2024

DF Hana Takahashi (高橋 はな) (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 (age 24) 24 3   Urawa Reds v.   North Korea, 28 February 2024


DF Shiori Miyake (三宅 史織) (1995-10-13) 13 October 1995 (age 28) 42 0   INAC Kobe Leonessa v.   Brazil, 3 December 2023
DF Saori Takarada (宝田 沙織) (1999-12-27) 27 December 1999 (age 24) 20 1   Leicester City v.   Argentina, 23 September 2023
DF Ruka Norimatsu (乗松 瑠華) (1996-01-30) 30 January 1996 (age 28) 9 0   Omiya Ardija Ventus v.   Denmark, 11 April 2023

MF Yoshino Nakashima (中嶋 淑乃) (1999-07-27) 27 July 1999 (age 24) 6 2   Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina v.   North Korea, 28 February 2024
MF Hikaru Naomoto (猶本 光) (1994-03-03) 3 March 1994 (age 30) 40 4   Urawa Reds v.   Brazil, 3 December 2023 INJ
MF Narumi Miura (三浦 成美) (1997-07-03) 3 July 1997 (age 26) 31 0   North Carolina Courage v.   Argentina, 23 September 2023

FW Remina Chiba (千葉 玲海菜) (1999-04-30) 30 April 1999 (age 24) 9 3   Eintracht Frankfurt v.   North Korea, 28 February 2024
FW Jun Endo (遠藤 純) (2000-05-24) 24 May 2000 (age 23) 44 5   Angel City FC v.   Brazil, 3 December 2023 INJ
FW Mana Iwabuchi (岩渕 真奈) (1993-03-18) 18 March 1993 (age 31) 89 37 Retired v.   Denmark, 11 April 2023
FW Rikako Kobayashi (小林 里歌子) (1997-07-21) 21 July 1997 (age 26) 16 4   North Carolina Courage v.   Denmark, 11 April 2023 INJ

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

(Players are listed within position group by order of latest call-up, caps, goals, and then alphabetically)

Previous squads edit

Bold indicates winning squads

Captains edit

Bold indicates current captain

Records edit

As of 3 December 2023

*Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.

Most capped players edit

# Player Year(s) Caps Goals Ref.
1 Homare Sawa 1993–2015 205 83 [33]
2 Aya Miyama 2003–2016 162 38 [34]
3 Saki Kumagai 2008–present 147 2 [35]
4 Shinobu Ohno 2003–2016 139 40 [36]
5 Yuki Nagasato 2004–2016 132 58 [37]
6 Kozue Ando 1999–2015 126 19 [38]
7 Mizuho Sakaguchi 2006–2019 124 29 [39]
8 Azusa Iwashimizu 2006–2016 122 11 [40]
9 Hiromi Ikeda 1997–2008 119 4
10 Tomoe Kato 1997–2008 114 8

Top goalscorers edit

# Player Year(s) Goals Caps Ref.
1 Homare Sawa 1993–2015 83 205 [33]
2 Yuki Nagasato 2004–2016 58 132 [37]
3 Kaori Nagamine 1984–1996 48 64
4 Shinobu Ohno 2003–2016 40 139 [36]
5 Aya Miyama 2003–2016 38 162 [34]
6 Mana Iwabuchi 2010–2023 36 89 [41]
7 Mio Otani 2000–2007 31 73
8 Futaba Kioka 1981–1996 30 75
8 Mina Tanaka 2013–present 30 74 [42]
9 Mizuho Sakaguchi 2006–2019 29 124 [39]
9 Asako Takakura 1984–1999 29 79

Honours edit

Intercontinental edit

  Champions: 2011
  Runners-up: 2015
  Runners-up: 2012

Continental edit

  Champions: 2014, 2018
  Runners-up: 1986, 1991, 1995, 2001
  Champions: 2010, 2018, 2022
  Runners-up: 1990, 1994, 2006, 2014

Regional edit

  Champions: 2008, 2010, 2019, 2022
  Runners-up: 2013, 2017

Other tournaments edit

  Runners-up: 2012, 2014

Competitive record edit

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

FIFA Women's World Cup edit

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GD Squad Coach
  1991 Group stage 3 0 0 3 0 12 −12 Squad Tamotsu Suzuki
  1995 Quarter-finals 4 1 0 3 2 8 −6 Squad
  1999 Group stage 3 0 1 2 1 10 −9 Squad Satoshi Miyauchi
  2003 3 1 0 2 7 6 +1 Squad Eiji Ueda
  2007 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 Squad Hiroshi Ohashi
  2011 Champions 6 4 1 1 12 6 +6 Squad Norio Sasaki
  2015 Runners-up 7 6 0 1 11 8 +3 Squad
  2019 Round of 16 4 1 1 2 3 5 −2 Squad Asako Takakura
    2023 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 15 3 +12 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
Total 9/9 38 18 4 16 54 62 −8
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
FIFA Women's World Cup history
Year Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
  1991 Group stage 17 November   Brazil L 0–1 New Plaza Stadium, Foshan
19 November   Sweden L 0–8
21 November   United States L 0–3
  1995 Group stage 5 June   Germany L 0–1 Tingvallen, Karlstad
7 June   Brazil W 2–1
9 June   Sweden L 0–2 Arosvallen, Västerås
Quarter-finals 13 June   United States L 0–4 Strömvallen, Gävle
  1999 Group stage 19 June   Canada D 1–1 Spartan Stadium, San Jose
23 June   Russia L 0–5 Civic Stadium, Portland
26 June   Norway L 0–4 Soldier Field, Chicago
  2003 Group stage 20 September   Argentina W 6–0 Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus
24 September   Germany L 0–3
27 September   Canada L 1–3 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
  2007 Group stage 11 September   England D 2–2 Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
14 September   Argentina W 1–0
17 September   Germany L 0–2 Yellow Dragon Sports Center, Hangzhou
  2011 Group stage 27 June   New Zealand W 2–1 Ruhrstadion, Bochum
1 July   Mexico W 4–0 BayArena, Leverkusen
5 July   England L 0–2 Impuls Arena, Augsburg
Quarter-finals 9 July   Germany W 1–0 Volkswagen-Arena, Wolfsburg
Semi-finals 13 July   Sweden W 3–1 Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt
Final 17 July   United States D 2–2 (3–1 (p))
  2015 Group stage 8 June   Switzerland W 1–0 BC Place, Vancouver
12 June   Cameroon W 2–1
16 June   Ecuador W 1–0 Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg
Round of 16 23 June   Netherlands W 2–1 BC Place, Vancouver
Quarter-finals 27 June   Australia W 1–0 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Semi-finals 1 July   England W 2–1
Final 5 July   United States L 2–5 BC Place, Vancouver
  2019 Group stage 10 June   Argentina D 0–0 Parc des Princes, Paris
14 June   Scotland W 2–1 Roazhon Park, Rennes
19 June   England L 0–2 Allianz Riviera, Nice
Round of 16 25 June   Netherlands L 1–2 Roazhon Park, Rennes
    2023 Group stage 22 July   Zambia W 5–0 Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
26 July   Costa Rica W 2–0 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
31 July   Spain W 4–0 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Round of 16 5 August   Norway W 3–1
Quarter-finals 11 August   Sweden L 1–2 Eden Park, Auckland

Olympic Games edit

  Summer Olympics record
Hosts / Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GD Squad Coach
  1996 Round 1 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 Squad Tamotsu Suzuki
  2000 Did not qualify
  2004 Quarter-finals 3 1 0 2 2 3 −1 Squad Eiji Ueda
  2008 Fourth place 6 2 1 3 11 10 +1 Squad Norio Sasaki
  2012 Runners-up 6 3 2 1 7 4 +3 Squad
  2016 Did not qualify
  2020 Quarter-finals 4 1 1 2 3 5 −2 Squad Asako Takakura
  2024 Qualified Squad Futoshi Ikeda
Total 6/8 20 6 4 10 23 28 −5
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Summer Olympics history
Year Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
  1996 Round 1 21 July   Germany L 2–3 Legion Field, Birmingham
23 July   Brazil L 0–2
25 July   Norway L 0–4 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
  2004 Round 1 11 August   Sweden W 1–0 Panthessaliko Stadium, Volos
14 August   Nigeria L 0–1 Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens
Quarter-finals 20 August   United States L 1–2 Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Thessaloniki
  2008 Round 1 6 August   New Zealand D 2–2 Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao
9 August   United States L 0–1
12 August   Norway W 5–1 Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai
Quarter-finals 15 August   China W 2–0 Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao
Semi-finals 18 August   United States L 2–4 Workers Stadium, Beijing
Third place 21 August   Germany L 0–2
  2012 Round 1 25 July   Canada W 2–1 City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry
28 July   Sweden D 0–0
31 July   South Africa D 0–0 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Quarter-finals 3 August   Brazil W 2–0
Semi-finals 6 August   France W 2–1 Wembley Stadium, London
Final 9 August   United States L 1–2
  2020 Round 1 21 July   Canada D 1–1 Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
24 July   Great Britain L 0–1
27 July   Chile W 1–0 Miyagi Stadium, Rifu
Quarter-finals 30 July   Sweden L 1–3
  2024 Round 1 TBD
TBD
TBD

AFC Women's Asian Cup edit

AFC Women's Asian Cup record
Hosts / Year Result GP W D* L GS GA GD Squad Coach
  1975 Did not enter
  1977 Group Stage 2 0 0 2 0 8 −8 Squad
  1980 Did not enter
  1981 Group stage 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2 Squad
  1983 Did not enter
  1986 Runners-up 4 2 0 2 14 4 +10 Squad
  1989 Third place 5 4 0 1 37 1 +36 Squad
  1991 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 27 6 +21 Squad
  1993 Third place 5 4 0 1 29 4 +25 Squad
  1995 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 27 3 +24 Squad
  1997 Third place 5 4 0 1 33 1 +32 Squad
  1999 Fourth place 6 4 0 2 36 6 +30 Squad
  2001 Runners-up 6 4 0 2 30 5 +25 Squad
  2003 Fourth place 6 4 0 2 34 4 +30 Squad
  2006 5 3 0 2 19 6 +13 Squad
  2008 Third place 5 3 0 2 19 7 +12 Squad
  2010 5 4 0 1 16 2 +14 Squad Norio Sasaki
  2014 Champions 5 4 1 0 16 3 +13 Squad
  2018 5 3 2 0 9 2 +7 Squad Asako Takakura
  2022 Semi-finals 5 3 2 0 18 3 +15 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
Total 17/20 83 55 6 22 365 68 +297
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Asian Games edit

Asian Games record
Host Result M W D L GF GA GD Squad Coach
  1990 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 17 8 +9 Squad Tamotsu Suzuki
  1994 4 2 1 1 9 3 +6 Squad
  1998 Third place 5 3 0 2 18 7 +11 Squad Satoshi Miyauchi
  2002 5 3 1 1 8 3 +5 Squad Eiji Ueda
  2006 Runners-up 5 4 1 0 21 1 +20 Squad Hiroshi Ohashi
  2010 Champions 4 3 1 0 6 0 +6 Squad Norio Sasaki
  2014 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 28 3 +25 Squad
  2018 Champions 5 5 0 0 14 2 +12 Squad Asako Takakura
  2022 6 6 0 0 39 5 +34 Squad Michihisa Kano
  2026
  2030
Total 7/7 34 22 6 6 107 25 +82
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
  • The 2022 edition was rescheduled to September–October 2023; as a result, Japan will send a B team with a separate coaching staff while the senior team competes in its regularly scheduled matches in the September 2023 FIFA international window.[43]

EAFF E-1 Football Championship edit

EAFF E-1 Football Championship record
Host Result M W D L GF GA GD Squad Coach
  2005 Third place 3 0 2 1 0 1 −1 Squad
  2008 Champions 3 3 0 0 8 2 +6 Squad
  2010 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 Squad
  2013 Runners-up 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 Squad
  2015 Third place 3 1 0 2 5 6 −1 Squad Norio Sasaki
  2017 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 4 4 0 Squad Asako Takakura
  2019 Champions 3 3 0 0 13 0 +13 Squad
  2022 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
Total 8/8 24 15 4 5 46 18 +28
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
EAFF E-1 Football Championship history
Year Round Opponent Score Result
2005 First match   North Korea 0–1 Loss
Second match   China 0–0 Draw
Third match   South Korea 0–0 Draw
2008 First match   North Korea 3–2 Win
Second match   South Korea 2–0 Win
Third match   South Korea 3–0 Win
2010 First match   China 2–0 Win
Second match   Chinese Taipei 3–0 Win
Third match   South Korea 2–1 Win
2013 First match   China 2–0 Win
Second match   North Korea 0–0 Draw
Third match   South Korea 1–2 Loss
2015 First match   North Korea 2–4 Loss
Second match   South Korea 1–2 Loss
Third match   China 2–0 Win
2017 First match   South Korea 3–2 Win
Second match   China 1–0 Win
Third match   North Korea 0–2 Loss
2019 First match   Chinese Taipei 7–0 Win
Second match   China 3–0 Win
Third match   South Korea 1–0 Win
2022 First match   South Korea 2–1 Win
Second match   Chinese Taipei 4–1 Win
Third match   China 0–0 Draw

Algarve Cup edit

The Algarve Cup is an invitational tournament for national teams in women's association football hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious and longest-running women's international football events and has been nicknamed the "Mini FIFA Women's World Cup."[44]

  Algarve Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD Squad Coach
19942010 Did not enter
2011 3rd place 4 3 0 1 9 3 +6 Squad
2012 2nd place 4 3 0 1 8 5 +3 Squad Norio Sasaki
2013 5th place 4 2 0 2 4 4 0 Squad
2014 2nd place 4 2 1 1 4 5 −1 Squad
2015 9th place 4 2 0 2 7 5 +2 Squad
2016 Did not enter
2017 6th place 4 2 0 2 7 5 +2 Squad Asako Takakura
2018 6th place 4 2 0 2 6 9 −3 Squad
2019–2023 Did not enter
Total 7/27 28 16 1 11 45 36 +9

Cyprus Women's Cup edit

  Cyprus Women's Cup record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD Squad Coach
2008 3rd place 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 Squad
Total 1/13 3 1 1 1 5 5 0

SheBelieves Cup edit

The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football hosted in the United States.

  SheBelieves Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Squad Coach
20162018 Did not enter
2019 Third place 3 1 1 1 5 6 Squad Asako Takakura
2020 Fourth place 3 0 0 3 2 7 Squad
2021 Withdrew due to the COVID-19 pandemic[45]
2022 Did not enter
2023 Runners-up 3 1 0 2 3 2 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
2024 TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 Squad
Total 4/9 9 2 1 6 10 15
SheBelieves Cup history
Year Round Opponent Score Result
2019 First match   United States 2–2 Draw
Second match   Brazil 3–1 Win
Third match   England 0–3 Loss
2020 First match   Spain 1–3 Loss
Second match   England 0–1 Loss
Third match   United States 1–3 Loss
2023 First match   Brazil 0–1 Loss
Second match   United States 0–1 Loss
Third match   Canada 3–0 Win
2024 First match   United States
Second match TBD

Tournament of Nations edit

The Tournament of Nations was a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer in non-World Cup and non-Olympic years hosted by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in several American cities.[46] The inaugural tournament was held in 2017.

The 2021 edition would have been a pre-Olympics tournament due to the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics.[47] On May 6, 2021, however, the USSF announced that it would no longer hold Tournament of Nations because recent changes in international windows by FIFA made a round-robin tournament unfeasible.[48]

  Tournament of Nations record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Squad Coach
2017 Third place 3 0 1 2 3 8 Squad Asako Takakura
2018 Fourth place 3 0 0 3 3 8 Squad
Total 2/2 6 0 1 5 6 16

See also edit

National teams
Men's
Women's

References edit

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Japan Football Association" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2012.
  3. ^ "なでしこジャパン". JFA|公益財団法人日本サッカー協会 (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Japan: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Japan claim maiden title". fifa.com. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  6. ^ "2015 FIFA Women's World Cup: Complete Tournament Results". ABC News. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  7. ^ a b Jean Williams (2021). The History of Women's Football. Pen & Sword Books Limited. ISBN 978-15-267-8531-2.
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  9. ^ "沿革・歴史|JFA|日本サッカー協会". www.jfa.jp.
  10. ^ JFA to show appreciation for support from football family FIFA
  11. ^ Japan banner a global message FIFA
  12. ^ "Japan edge USA for maiden title". FIFA. 17 July 2011. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  13. ^ "Women's World Cup final: Japan beat USA on penalties". BBC Sport. 17 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
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  15. ^ "Class war among Japanese Olympic footballers". ABC. 19 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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  17. ^ "Japan lift 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup". Goal.com. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  18. ^ "[Tokyo 2021] Jeux Olympiques (football, groupe E) : La Grande-Bretagne garde la tête, le Japon en quart dans la douleur". coeursdefoot.fr. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  19. ^ "The lowest share of possession for a winning side at the FIFA Women". Opta Joe. 31 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Women's World Cup Daily: Matildas send Canada out; Japan cruise". ESPN. 31 July 2023.
  21. ^ Cox, Michael (31 July 2023). "Japan are the best side at the World Cup so far – Spain didn't know how to cope with them". The Athletic.
  22. ^ "Japan teach Spain a lesson in counter-attacking football". Opta Analyst. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023.
  23. ^ Rose, Gary (6 August 2023). "Japan 3–1 Norway". BBC News. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
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  25. ^ a b Australia, Chinese Taipei only record at the time of enrollment
  26. ^ Played as Czechoslovakia
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  28. ^ "なでしこジャパン(日本女子代表)メンバー・スケジュール 国際親善試合 アルゼンチン女子代表戦 【9.23@福岡/北九州スタジアム】". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. 4 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Mr. IKEDA Futoshi appointed as coach of Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team)". Japan Football Association (JFA). Tokyo. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  30. ^ "なでしこジャパン(日本女子代表)メンバー・スケジュール 2024 SheBelieves Cup(4.1~4.11@アメリカ)" [Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) squad & schedule SheBelieves Cup (1–11 April@United States)] (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. 28 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Selected Player". JFA. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
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  33. ^ a b "MF 澤 穂希 SAWA Homare". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  34. ^ a b "MF 宮間 あや MIYAMA Aya". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
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  36. ^ a b "FW 大野 忍 OHNO Shinobu". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  37. ^ a b "FW 永里 優季 NAGASATO Yuki". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
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  40. ^ "DF 岩清水 梓 IWASHIMIZU Azusa". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  41. ^ "FW 岩渕真奈 IWABUCHI Mana". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
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  45. ^ "Argentina Replaces Japan at 2021 SheBelieves Cup, Presented by Visa". US Soccer. 28 January 2021.
  46. ^ "Five Things To Know About the 2017 Tournament of Nations". 20 July 2017.
  47. ^ Linehan, Meg; Tenorio, Paul (26 February 2021). "USMNT, USWNT schedules, World Cup host city process: USSF board meeting notes". The Athletic. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  48. ^ "U.S. SOCCER TO HOST THE 2021 WNT SUMMER SERIES PRESENTED BY AT&T 5G FEATURING THE USA, PORTUGAL, JAMAICA AND NIGERIA". US Soccer. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.

External links edit

  • Official website at JFA.jp (in English)
  • Japan profile at FIFA.com
  • Japan at FIFA.com
Sporting positions
Preceded by World Champions
2011 (first title)
Succeeded by
Preceded by Asian Champions
2014 (first title)
2018 (second title)
Succeeded by