Japan names Go Oiwa as next men's soccer coach

The Japan Football Association announced Thursday that Go Oiwa, 54, will assume the role of head coach of the Japanese men's national soccer team starting with an international friendly next March. Oiwa succeeds Hajime Moriyasu, 57, who led the Samurai Blue at this year's FIFA World Cup. The decision was made at the JFA's board meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.

Oiwa will hold the position of head coach concurrently with a second role coaching Japan's Under-21 national team, which is preparing to secure a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Moriyasu will remain as head coach through the next Asian Cup, scheduled for January and February 2027, ensuring an extended transition period. The JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto and Moriyasu are scheduled to hold a news conference Friday to discuss the appointment.

Oiwa's appointment builds on his track record in youth development. He became head coach of Japan's youth national team in 2021 after a tenure leading Kashima Antlers in the J. League's top division. He kept his position as youth coach after Japan reached the quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, demonstrating the JFA's confidence in his ability to identify and develop emerging talent. According to the announcement, Oiwa is expected to prepare for the 2030 World Cup by developing young players while maintaining the strategy adopted under Moriyasu.

Moreyasu's tenure marked a historic milestone: he became the first coach to lead Japan at two World Cups. Under his leadership, Japan advanced to the knockout stage in both the 2022 Qatar competition and this year's tournament hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States. Japan lost to Brazil 2–1 in its first knockout-stage match in this year's tournament. Despite that result, the continuity of strategic direction signals the JFA's intent to build on the foundation Moriyasu established rather than pursue a sharp change in approach.

The appointment represents a transition designed to balance continuity with generational renewal. Moriyasu, who took the role in summer 2018, made history as the first coach to lead Japan at two World Cups, achieving knockout-stage advancement in both Qatar 2022 and the most recent tournament held jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States. Though Japan lost to Brazil 2–1 in its first knockout-stage match this year, Moriyasu's tenure established a strategic foundation the JFA intends to preserve. By naming Oiwa—who has direct experience building youth talent through his work with the Under-21 team and his observation of Japan's quarterfinal run at Paris 2024—the association signals it will develop younger players within Moriyasu's framework rather than abandon it. The overlap period, with Moriyasu leading through the Asian Cup in early 2027, provides a structured handoff ahead of the 2030 World Cup cycle.