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Historic England Win Shows Confident Japan Can Go Far at World Cup

Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Historic England Win Shows Confident Japan Can Go Far at World Cup

Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 Japan's Kaoru Mitoma scores their first goal past England's Jordan Pickford. (Action Images via Reuters)

Coach Hajime Moriyasu cautioned it was only a friendly, but Japan's slice of history with a statement 1-0 win over England at Wembley shows they could go deep at the World Cup.

Japan strolled through Asian qualifying to become the first team to seal their place at the finals in North America and beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at home in October.

On Tuesday they faced England, who like Brazil are among the favorites to win the showpiece this summer, and were full value for their victory.

Kaoru Mitoma's composed finish in the first half at Wembley condemned England to their first defeat by Asian nation.

Moriyasu has said that Japan want to win the 2026 World Cup, and on this evidence that does not seem quite so outlandish.

But Moriyasu struck a note of caution, especially with Thomas Tuchel's England missing the influential trio Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

"Coming to the World Cup, I know it will be a totally different team for England," said the coach, whose side beat Scotland 1-0 on Saturday in Glasgow.

"Also, for us, this game at the end of the day is just a friendly game, so we must keep that in mind as well."

Japan, Asia's highest-ranked side at 18 in the world, are in a testing group with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia this summer.

But they should have more than enough to make it through, as they attempt to go beyond the World Cup last 16 for the first time.

- Surging confidence -

At Qatar 2022, Japan beat Spain and Germany in the group phase, before losing on penalties to Croatia in the knockout rounds.

They look well equipped to go further this time with a squad full of technically gifted players who ply their trade in Europe's top leagues.

Wembley match-winner Mitoma, of Brighton, is one of the best wingers in the Premier League on his day.

Japan also have Premier League pedigree in Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada and Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka.

Takefusa Kubo did not feature in the recent friendlies because of injury, but the 24-year-old Real Sociedad attacker is well established in Spain's top flight.

Going back to 2019 he has 29 goals and 21 assists in 213 La Liga games.

In goal, Moriyasu kept faith in young stopper Zion Suzuki after a shaky start to his international career.

Now 23, the New Jersey-born goalkeeper, whose father is Ghanaian, has been linked with a move to the Premier League because of his good form for Parma in Italy's Serie A.

Following the England victory, Moriyasu again said that winning the World Cup was the goal.

Moriyasu has his side finely tuned and they know exactly what to expect from him, having been in charge since 2018.

"I'm confident that we can win no matter who we face," he said.

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Sports

Koeman Defends Defensive Approach After Netherlands Exit World Cup

Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)
Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)
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Koeman Defends Defensive Approach After Netherlands Exit World Cup

Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)
Ronald Koeman, head coach of Netherlands, speaks during a press conference in Monterrey, Mexico, 28 June 2026. (EPA)

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said ‌they went with a more defensive approach against Morocco to give them a better chance of winning rather than out of any fear of their opponents, after his side were eliminated from the World Cup on Monday.

Koeman made no apologies for fielding five defenders, even if he expects a torrent of criticism in the wake of their 3-2 shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Koeman, who has previously had to deal with disapproval after diverting from the traditional “Dutch school” of attacking football, felt playing with five at the back was the ‌right strategy to ‌overcome the North Africans.

“With this defensive approach, we ‌gave ⁠away much less ⁠than we did during the (group) matches," said the coach, who added he would decide on his future with the side after reflecting on the team’s elimination.

"That was positive, but also we were less offensive.

“You can think of the tactics whatever you like, but we gave away much less against a team much stronger than Sweden and Tunisia. And if ⁠I had to do it again, I would ‌do it the same way again.

“I also ‌know that if Morocco hadn’t equalized with that late goal, there would ‌be all sorts of compliments for me as the Dutch coach, ‌but now, probably, I'm going to be scolded for the fact that I chose five defenders, but once again, I believe it was necessary.”

Koeman said he had discussed the approach with his players, and they had agreed.

“You will ‌criticize me, and that's your right, but you watch football from the sidelines,” he told reporters.

“I'm with ⁠the team. I ⁠knew what needed to be improved. This is how I improved it. And once again, if I had to do it again, I would have done exactly the same.

“It was not about being afraid. That's not what it was about at all. Why afraid? I mean, we had three strikers on the field,” he added in a testy exchange.

“This is about a better defensive position, not out of fear, but based on an analysis of the opposition, and we can keep discussing this until tomorrow evening.

"You have your opinion, with all due respect, that's fine. But I have a different view,” Koeman added.

Morocco advanced to a last-16 meeting with Canada in Houston on Saturday.

Sports

Morocco ‘Unstoppable’ Says Coach After Netherlands Thriller

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
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Morocco ‘Unstoppable’ Says Coach After Netherlands Thriller

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi believes his team is primed to make a deep run at the World Cup, declaring that the Atlas Lions could be "unstoppable" if they play to their potential.

The Moroccans, beaten semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, advanced to the last 16 on Monday after winning a thrilling battle with the Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey.

It was another stylish display by the African champions, who dominated for long periods in a match that finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Ouahbi said Moroccan football is now reaping the benefits of the 2022 team's groundbreaking exploits in becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

"The World Cup in Qatar changed the mentality of the Morocco team, and I'm well placed to speak about this," said Ouahbi, who last year coached Morocco to a momentous victory at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.

Morocco forward #09 Soufiane Rahimi celebrates with fans after winning in the shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026. (AFP)

"Moroccan players in Morocco believe in themselves, the supporters, the fans believe in us as well. It's so important. They're demanding, but it's because they know just how far we can go," he said.

Morocco face co-hosts Canada in the last 16, with a potential quarter-final meeting with France looming on the horizon.

Ouahbi said there would be no question of complacency against Canada.

"We know that it's game after game, and people think that it's kept to be easy for us, it's going to be a walk in the park for Morocco, which is not the case. Canada is a team that is going to be difficult for us."

But Ouahbi said Morocco could go even further than the 2022 team if they fired on all cylinders.

"What we need to be telling ourselves is no one can stop us," he said. "We're unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play.

The Moroccan team starts to celebrate after winning on penalty kicks the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)

"But nobody is unbeatable. And I tell my guys that as well. If we get things wrong, we'll go home, and we need to ensure that we have all the tools that we're using, the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can, and that's the mentality that we want all of our players in Morocco to have."

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman meanwhile said Morocco's emergence reflected the quality of African football.

"It's very clear watching this World Cup that African teams have greatly improved in tactical sense, and also in the way they play their matches," Koeman said.

"Morocco is the country that, in terms of talents, really generates good players, young players that continue to join the major clubs in Europe. It's not without a reason why they have a higher ranking than the Netherlands."

Sports

Coach: Paraguay's Players Are Now Legends after Shootout Win over Germany

Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026. EPA/GREG COOPER
Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026. EPA/GREG COOPER
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Coach: Paraguay's Players Are Now Legends after Shootout Win over Germany

Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026. EPA/GREG COOPER
Paraguay's head coach Gustavo Alfaro celebrates with his players after winning the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match Germany against Paraguay, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 29 June 2026. EPA/GREG COOPER

Paraguay's players have turned themselves into football legends by defeating Germany in the World Cup on Monday, coach Gustavo Alfaro said.

"We never believe that we are beaten," Alfaro told reporters after his team's penalty shootout victory. "Twenty-six warriors went out there and they came back as legends."

The Argentine coach had come under criticism after Paraguay lost their opener 4-1 to co-hosts the United States, and scored only one more goal in their other two group matches.

However, they squeezed into the ⁠knockout rounds and ⁠then stunned Germany 4-3 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 over 120 minutes, handing the four-time champions their first-ever World Cup shootout defeat.

Alfaro said the heavy defeat by the United States had paved the way for Monday's historic win.

"If we had not learned from ⁠the loss, we would not have been prepared for this match," Reuters quoted him as saying. "I told the players that we have lived through an epic evening."

Paraguay opened the scoring against the run of play in the 42nd minute with a Julio Enciso header before Kai Havertz equalized in the 54th minute.

The South Americans then dug in, surviving a disallowed German goal and hanging on for penalties.

Jose Canale hammered home the winning kick, but only after two of ⁠his teammates ⁠failed to convert theirs.

"As things always are with us, we don't do things without suffering," Alfaro said, adding a special tribute for Canale whose professional career has been marked by loan spells with clubs in Paraguay, Argentina and Mexico.

"Canale is one of life's champions because he has had to go through a lot of adversity," Alfaro said. "A night like this is one of the gifts that life can give you. It's divine justice."

Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the round of 16 on July 4.