Japan soccer team returns home after World Cup 2026 round‑of‑32 exit

Japan's national football squad flew back to Narita Airport on July 2, ending a two‑week FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. Players including Takehiro Kubo, Ki‑Sei Ueda, Keito Nakamura and Aoi Tanaka arrived to a crowd of supporters, while coach Moriyasu and other staff greeted fans at the airport.

Following the 1‑2 defeat to Brazil in Houston that knocked Japan out in the round of 32, the team departed their hotel, signing autographs and posing for photos with supporters. Moriyasu, together with JFA president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and technical director Masakuni Yamamoto, will hold a press conference in Tokyo to review the tournament and discuss the coach's future.

The return marks the end of Japan's World Cup participation this year after a swift exit from the knockout stage.