Japan national under-20 football team

The Japan national under-20 football team (Japanese: U-20サッカー日本代表) is a national association football team of Japan and is controlled by the Japan Football Association. The year before the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the national team is renamed the Japan national under-19 football team, and the year before that, the national team is renamed the Japan national under-18 football team.

Japan Under-20
Nickname(s)サムライ・ブルー
(Samurai Blue)[1]
AssociationJapan Football Association
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationEAFF (East Asia)
Head coachKoichi Togashi
Most capsKoki Ogawa (36)
Top scorerKoki Ogawa (23)
FIFA codeJPN
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Japan 4–0 Singapore 
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 19 April 1959)
Biggest win
 Japan 26–0 Guam 
(Bangkok, Thailand; 31 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
 Malaysia 6–0 Japan 
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 22 April 1959)
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Appearances11 (first in 1979)
Best resultRunners-up (1999)
AFC U-19 Championship
Appearances38 (first in 1959)
Best resultChampions (2016)

Results and fixtures

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Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2024

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U-19

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21 March Friendly Jordan   1–3   Japan Kherbet Al-Souk, Jordan
23:00 UTC+3
  • Goal   58'
Report
Stadium: Kherbet-Al Souk Stadium
23 March Friendly Syria   2–2   Japan Kherbet Al-Souk, Jordan
23:00 UTC+3
  • Goal   ?', ?'
Report
Stadium: Kherbet-Al Souk Stadium
25 March Friendly Jordan   2–0   Japan Kherbet Al-Souk, Jordan
23:00 UTC+3
  • Goal   ?', ?'
Report Stadium: Kherbet-Al Souk Stadium
4 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Italy   4–3   Japan Vitrolles, France
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade Jules-Ladoumègue
8 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Japan   4–1   Indonesia Fos-sur-Mer, France
14:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade Parsemain
10 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Ukraine   2–1   Japan Aubagne, France
14:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny
12 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Japan   1–0   Panama Salon-de-Provence, France
14:30 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade d'Honneur Marcel Roustan
14 June Maurice Revello Tournament 5-6th place match Japan   3–1   Mexico Mallemort, France
17:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Stade d'Honneur Mallemort
25 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification Japan   2–0   Turkmenistan Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
15:00 UTC+6
Report Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Attendance: 254
Referee: Jansen Foo (Singapore)
27 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification Myanmar   0–6   Japan Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
15:00 UTC+6
Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Attendance: 253
Referee: Morteza Mansourian (Iran)
29 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification Japan   1–1   Kyrgyzstan Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
20:00 UTC+6
Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Referee: Nivon Robesh (Sri Lanka)
13 November Friendly U-19 Pumas UNAM   0–0   Japan Mexico City, Mexico
11:00 UTC−6 Report Stadium: Club Universidad Nacional Ground
16 November Friendly Mexico   1–1
(1–2 p)
  Japan Mexico City, Mexico
10:00 UTC−6
Report
Stadium: Centro de Alto Rendimiento
19 November Friendly Venezuela   1–3   Japan Mexico City, Mexico
13:00 UTC−6 Stadium: Centro de Alto Rendimiento

U-18

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22 August SBS Cup Japan   0–0   South Korea Shizuoka
19:52 UTC+9 Report Stadium: Kusanagi Athletic Stadium
23 August SBS Cup Shizuoka U-18 Selection   0–0
(3–5 p)
  Japan Numazu
18:50 UTC+9 Report Stadium: Ashitaka Park Stadium
25 August SBS Cup Japan   0–0
(7–6 p)
  Argentina Fukuroi
16:00 UTC+9 Report Stadium: Ecopa Stadium
9 October Friendly Japan   0–1   Sweden Oliva
15:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Samuyiwa   9'
Stadium: Oliva Nova Sports Center
13 October Friendly Sweden   1–4   Japan Oliva
15:00 UTC+2
  • Jawla   41'
Report
  • Kawamura   6'
  • Yamaguchi   15', 22', 58'
Stadium: Oliva Nova Sports Center
15 October Friendly United States   3–2   Japan Oliva
12:00 UTC+2
  • Joyner   16'
  • Miller   43'
  • Klapija   54'
Report
  • Shimamoto   56'
  • Nawata   79'
Stadium: Oliva Nova Sports Center

2023

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U-18

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21 December Ibaraki Next Gen Cup U-20 Kanto University Selection   1–1   Japan Mito, Japan
11:00 UTC+9
  • Ishimoto   86'
Report
  • Shiogai   11'
Stadium: Twin Field
23 December Ibaraki Next Gen Cup U-22 All Ibaraki   0–0   Japan Mito, Japan
14:00 UTC+9 Report Stadium: K's denki Stadium Mito
24 December Ibaraki Next Gen Cup Japan   4–0   Uzbekistan Mito, Japan
11:00 UTC+9
  • Shiogai   2'
  • Nakagawa   10'
  • Yasuda   41'
  • Sato   84'
Report Stadium: K's denki Stadium Mito

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for a Mexico Tour, held from 11 to 21 November 2024 on Mexico City. On 10 November, Yotaro Nakajima was replaced due to poor conditioning by Nick Schmidt. On 17 November, Keisuke Sakaiya sustained an injury mid-tour and left the squad.[2]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1 1GK Keisuke Nakamura (中村圭佑) (2005-04-27) 27 April 2005 (age 19)   Tokyo Verdy
12 1GK Wataru Goto (後藤亘) (2006-05-08) 8 May 2006 (age 18)   FC Tokyo
23 1GK Rui Araki (荒木琉偉) (2007-10-14) 14 October 2007 (age 17)   Gamba Osaka

2 2DF Katsuma Fuse (布施克真) (2007-03-11) 11 March 2007 (age 17)   Nihon Univ. Fujisawa High School
3 2DF Niko Takahashi (高橋仁胡) (2005-08-17) 17 August 2005 (age 19)   Cerezo Osaka
4 2DF Kazunari Kita (喜多壱也) (2005-09-16) 16 September 2005 (age 19)   Kyoto Sanga
5 2DF Rion Ichihara (市原吏音) (2005-07-07) 7 July 2005 (age 19)   Omiya Ardija
15 2DF Harumichi Shiokawa (塩川桜道) (2005-04-25) 25 April 2005 (age 19)   Ryutsu Keizai University
16 2DF Shunta Ikeda (池田春汰) (2005-04-03) 3 April 2005 (age 19)   University of Tsukuba
19 2DF Kaito Tsuchiya (土屋櫂大) (2006-05-12) 12 May 2006 (age 18)   Kawasaki Frontale

6 3MF Kosei Ogura (小倉幸成) (2005-04-09) 9 April 2005 (age 19)   Hosei University
7 3MF Ryunosuke Sato (佐藤龍之介) (2006-10-16) 16 October 2006 (age 18)   FC Tokyo
8 3MF Kenshin Yasuda (保田堅心) (2005-03-05) 5 March 2005 (age 19)   Oita Trinita
10 3MF Hisatsugu Ishii (石井久継) (2005-07-07) 7 July 2005 (age 19)   Shonan Bellmare
11 3MF Sora Hiraga (平賀大空) (2005-03-02) 2 March 2005 (age 19)   Kyoto Sanga
14 3MF Nick Schmidt (ニック・シュミット) (2007-09-12) 12 September 2007 (age 17)   St. Pauli
17 3MF Hagumu Nakagawa (中川育) (2005-06-07) 7 June 2005 (age 19)   Ryutsu Keizai University
18 3MF Rinto Hanashiro (花城琳斗) (2005-09-12) 12 September 2005 (age 19)   VfB Stuttgart II
22 3MF Shunsuke Saito (齋藤俊輔) (2005-04-26) 26 April 2005 (age 19)   Mito HollyHock

9 4FW Soma Kanda (神田奏真) (2005-12-29) 29 December 2005 (age 18)   Kawasaki Frontale
13 4FW Aren Inoue (井上愛簾) (2006-09-19) 19 September 2006 (age 18)   Sanfrecce Hiroshima
20 4FW Ryoga Kida (貴田遼河) (2005-07-15) 15 July 2005 (age 19)   Argentinos Juniors

Recent call-ups

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The following players were called up to an U-20, U-19 or U-18 squad in the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Taisei Kambayashi (上林大誠) (2006-02-21) 21 February 2006 (age 18)   Montedio Yamagata v.   United States, 15 November 2024
GK Otavio Hiroki Toma (藤間・オタビオ・広希) (2006-08-30) 30 August 2006 (age 18)   Yaita Chuo High School v.   United States, 15 November 2024
GK Shota Uchiyama (内山翔太) (2006-11-09) 9 November 2006 (age 18)   Albirex Niigata v.   United States, 15 November 2024
GK Masataka Kobayashi (小林将天) (2005-09-20) 20 September 2005 (age 19)   FC Tokyo Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
GK Alexandre Pisano (ピサノ・アレクサンドレ) (2006-01-10) 10 January 2006 (age 18)   Nagoya Grampus Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
GK Zhang Aolin (張奥林) (2005-04-25) 25 April 2005 (age 19)   Gamba Osaka v.   Jordan, 25 March 2024
GK Tomoyasu Hamasaki (濱﨑知康) (2005-04-10) 10 April 2005 (age 19)   Meiji University Ibaraki Next Gen Cup, 21-24 December 2023

DF Yumeki Yoshinaga (吉永夢希) (2006-02-22) 22 February 2006 (age 18)   Jong Genk v.   United States, 15 November 2024
DF Shotaro Shibata (柴田翔太郎) (2006-04-17) 17 April 2006 (age 18)   Kawasaki Frontale v.   United States, 15 November 2024
DF Hideki Saito (斉藤秀輝) (2006-05-12) 12 May 2006 (age 18)   Omiya Ardija v.   United States, 15 November 2024
DF Tariqkani Hayato Okabe (岡部・タリク・カナイ・颯斗) (2006-07-05) 5 July 2006 (age 18)   Ichiritsu Funabashi High School v.   United States, 15 November 2024
DF Shota Kofie (木吹翔太) (2006-08-19) 19 August 2006 (age 18)   Sanfrecce Hiroshima v.   United States, 15 November 2024
DF Mihiro Sato (佐藤海宏) (2007-02-26) 26 February 2007 (age 17)   Kashima Antlers v.   United States, 15 November 2024
DF Yugo Okawa (大川佑梧) (2007-07-14) 14 July 2007 (age 17)   Kashima Antlers v.   United States, 15 November 2024
DF Rio Tadokoro (田所莉旺) (2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 (age 18)   Teikyo High School v.   Sweden, 13 October 2024 WD
DF Justin Honma (本間・ジャスティン) (2005-08-26) 26 August 2005 (age 19)   Yokohama F. Marinos v.   Kyrgyzstan, 29 September 2024
DF Kanata Nakamitsu (中光叶多) (2005-11-04) 4 November 2005 (age 19)   Chuo University v.   Kyrgyzstan, 29 September 2024
DF Rikuto Kuwahara (桒原陸人) (2005-01-21) 21 January 2005 (age 19)   Meiji University 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification, September 2024 INJ
DF Shuto Nagano (永野修都) (2006-04-15) 15 April 2006 (age 18)   FC Tokyo SBS Cup, August 2024
DF Kanau Ikema (池間叶) (2006-07-18) 18 July 2006 (age 18)   Nagoya Grampus SBS Cup, August 2024
DF Kaito Yamada (山田海斗) (2006-08-31) 31 August 2006 (age 18)   Vissel Kobe SBS Cup, August 2024
DF Haruka Ikeda (池田遼) (2007-01-18) 18 January 2007 (age 17)   Teikyo Nagaoka High School SBS Cup, August 2024 TP; INJ
DF Atsushi Inagaki (稲垣篤志) (2005-03-03) 3 March 2005 (age 19)   Meiji University Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
DF Sotaro Hayashi (林奏太朗) (2005-08-25) 25 August 2005 (age 19)   Waseda University Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
DF Fumiya Kitajima (北島郁哉) (2005-11-20) 20 November 2005 (age 19)   Sagan Tosu Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
DF Kairu Ozaki (尾崎凱琉) (2005-04-27) 27 April 2005 (age 19)   Waseda University Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2024
DF Keita Kosugi (小杉啓太) (2006-03-18) 18 March 2006 (age 18)   Djurgården Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2024
DF Rei Umeki (梅木怜) (2005-08-25) 25 August 2005 (age 19)   FC Imabari 2024 Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2024 WD
DF Rinshiro Kojima (小島凛士郎) (2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19)   Kagoshima United v.   Jordan, 25 March 2024
DF Yuhi Ono (尾野優日) (2005-11-26) 26 November 2005 (age 18)   Mito HollyHock v.   Jordan, 25 March 2024
DF Miran Ishihara (石原未蘭) (2005-04-21) 21 April 2005 (age 19)   Ryutsu Keizai University Ibaraki Next Gen Cup, 21-24 December 2023
DF Soshiro Tanida (谷田壮志朗) (2005-07-10) 10 July 2005 (age 19)   JEF United Chiba Ibaraki Next Gen Cup, 21-24 December 2023

MF Keisuke Sakaiya (堺屋佳介) (2005-05-07) 7 May 2005 (age 19)   Sagan Tosu v.   Mexico, 16 November 2024INJ
MF Yotaro Nakajima (中島洋太朗) (2006-04-22) 22 April 2006 (age 18)   Sanfrecce Hiroshima v.   Pumas, 13 November 2024INJ
MF Gakuto Kawamura (川村楽人) (2006-04-06) 6 April 2006 (age 18)   Tokyo Verdy v.   United States, 15 November 2024
MF Sena Ishibashi (石橋瀬凪) (2006-04-22) 22 April 2006 (age 18)   Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School v.   United States, 15 November 2024
MF Shungo Sugiura (杉浦駿吾) (2006-05-14) 14 May 2006 (age 18)   Nagoya Grampus v.   United States, 15 November 2024
MF Gaku Nawata (名和田我空) (2006-07-29) 29 July 2006 (age 18)   Kamimura Gakuen High School v.   United States, 15 November 2024
MF Minato Otani (大谷湊斗) (2006-10-01) 1 October 2006 (age 18)   Shohei High School v.   United States, 15 November 2024
MF Yudai Shimamoto (嶋本悠大) (2006-10-26) 26 October 2006 (age 18)   Ohzu High School v.   United States, 15 November 2024
MF Towa Osada (長田叶羽) (2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 (age 17)   Gamba Osaka v.   United States, 15 November 2024
MF Yuto Ozeki (大関友翔) (2005-02-06) 6 February 2005 (age 19)   Fukushima United v.   Kyrgyzstan, 29 September 2024
MF Rando Hiroi (廣井蘭) (2005-03-05) 5 March 2005 (age 19)   University of Tsukuba v.   Kyrgyzstan, 29 September 2024
MF Motoki Nishihara (西原源樹) (2006-12-16) 16 December 2006 (age 17)   Shimizu S-Pulse v.   Kyrgyzstan, 29 September 2024
MF Yuto Amano (天野悠斗) (2006-04-20) 20 April 2006 (age 18)   Gamba Osaka SBS Cup, August 2024
MF Joi Yamamoto (山本丈偉) (2006-05-18) 18 May 2006 (age 18)   Tokyo Verdy SBS Cup, August 2024
MF Sota Minami (南創太) (2006-06-15) 15 June 2006 (age 18)   Nissho Gakuen High School SBS Cup, August 2024
MF Ryu Kanda (神田龍) (2007-06-21) 21 June 2007 (age 17)   Nagoya Grampus SBS Cup, August 2024 TP
MF Yuto Anzai (安齋悠人) (2005-04-25) 25 April 2005 (age 19)   Kyoto Sanga Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
MF Kosuke Hara (原康介) (2005-08-03) 3 August 2005 (age 19)   Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
MF Toki Yukutomo (行友翔哉) (2005-01-05) 5 January 2005 (age 19)   Famalicão Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2024
MF Hiroto Kanda (神田拓人) (2005-06-19) 19 June 2005 (age 19)   Waseda University Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2024
MF Jumpei Hayakawa (早川隼平) (2005-12-05) 5 December 2005 (age 18)   Fagiano Okayama v.   Jordan, 25 March 2024
MF Haruto Suzuki (鈴木陽人) (2005-05-17) 17 May 2005 (age 19)   Nagoya Grampus Ibaraki Next Gen Cup, 21-24 December 2023
MF Kota Yui (由井航太) (2005-06-10) 10 June 2005 (age 19)   Kawasaki Frontale Ibaraki Next Gen Cup, 21-24 December 2023

FW Takumi Yasuno (安野匠) (2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 (age 18)   Teikyo Nagaoka High School v.   United States, 15 November 2024
FW Mohamad Sadiki Wade (ワッド・モハメッド・サディキ) (2006-05-29) 29 May 2006 (age 18)   Kashiwa Reysol v.   United States, 15 November 2024
FW Taiyo Yamaguchi (山口太陽) (2006-08-18) 18 August 2006 (age 18)   FC Tokyo v.   United States, 15 November 2024
FW Homare Tokuda (徳田誉) (2007-02-18) 18 February 2007 (age 17)   Kashima Antlers v.   United States, 15 November 2024
FW Yumeki Yokoyama (横山夢樹) (2005-09-23) 23 September 2005 (age 19)   FC Imabari v.   Kyrgyzstan, 29 September 2024
FW Keito Kumashiro (神代慶人) (2007-10-25) 25 October 2007 (age 17)   Roasso Kumamoto SBS Cup, August 2024
FW Yutaro Onda (恩田裕太郎) (2007-07-11) 11 July 2007 (age 17)   Kawasaki Frontale SBS Cup, August 2024 TP
FW Soyusubedi Takenoya (竹ノ谷・颯優・スベディ) (2007-12-27) 27 December 2007 (age 16)   Albirex Niigata SBS Cup, August 2024 TP
FW Kyota Funahashi (舩橋京汰) (2005-07-31) 31 July 2005 (age 19)   Ehime FC Training camp, 22-25 July 2024
FW Kento Shiogai (塩貝健) (2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 19)   NEC Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2024
FW Yutaka Michiwaki (道脇豊) (2006-04-06) 6 April 2006 (age 18)   Roasso Kumamoto Maurice Revello Tournament, June 2024
FW Keisuke Goto (後藤啓介) (2005-06-03) 3 June 2005 (age 19)   RSCA Futures v.   Jordan, 25 March 2024
FW Rento Takaoka (高岡伶颯) (2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 (age 17)   Nissho Gakuen High School v.   Jordan, 25 March 2024
FW Nobuhiro Konno (近野伸大) (2005-05-03) 3 May 2005 (age 19)   Meiji University Ibaraki Next Gen Cup, 21-24 December 2023
FW Riu Koarashi (小嵐理翔) (2005-09-17) 17 September 2005 (age 19)   Meiji University Ibaraki Next Gen Cup, 21-24 December 2023

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
TP Training partner
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

(Players are listed within position group by order of latest call-up, seniority, and then alphabetically by its surname)

Previous squads

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FIFA U-20 World Cup

Records

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As of 14 June 2023
Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.
Caps and goals is calculated by all national team level include U18, U19, and U20.

Honours

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Intercontinental

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Runners-Up (1): 1999

Continental

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AFC U-19 Championship
Runners-Up (6): 1973, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006

Competitive record

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FIFA U-20 World Cup

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AFC U-20 Asian Cup

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AFC U-20 Asian Cup record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
  1959 Third place 4 2 0 2 12 11
  1960 Third place 4 2 1 1 10 11
  1961 Group stage 4 0 1 3 4 8
  1962 Group stage 4 1 0 3 4 9
  1963 Group stage 5 1 1 3 8 13
  1964 Group stage 3 0 1 2 1 4
  1965 Group stage 4 2 0 2 8 4
  1966 Group stage 4 0 0 4 2 13
  1967 Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 6
  1968 First round 3 0 1 2 0 6
  1969 Quarterfinals 3 1 0 2 5 11
  1970 Fourth place 6 2 1 3 5 13
  1971 Fourth place 6 4 1 1 13 2
  1972 Quarterfinals 5 2 2 1 12 5
  1973 Runners-up 5 1 2 2 5 6
  1974 Quarterfinals 4 2 0 2 9 4
  1975 Group stage 4 2 0 2 10 5
  1976 Tie-breaker play-off 4 1 2 1 2 4
  1977 Fourth place 5 1 2 2 8 6
  1978 Group stage 4 1 2 1 8 6
  1980 Final tournament 4 2 0 2 4 5
  1982 Didn't qualify
  1985
  1986
  1988 Group stage 3 0 0 3 3 7
  1990 Group stage 3 1 1 1 5 4
  1992 Third place 5 3 0 2 8 4
  1994 Runners-up 6 4 0 2 9 4
  1996 Fourth place 6 3 1 2 12 6
  1998 Runners-up 6 3 1 2 18 10
  2000 Runners-up 6 3 1 2 15 8
  2002 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 11 4
  2004 Third place 6 3 0 3 10 3
  2006 Runners-up 6 3 2 1 12 6
  2008 Quarterfinals 4 2 1 1 10 6
  2010 Quarterfinals 4 3 0 1 11 4
  2012 Quarterfinals 4 1 1 2 2 4
  2014 Quarterfinals 4 2 1 1 7 5
  2016 Champions 6 4 2 0 13 0
  2018 Semifinals 5 4 0 1 15 5
  2023 Semifinals 5 4 1 0 11 4
Total 38/41 173 74 30 69 304 236

See also

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Japan
Men's
Women's

References

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  1. ^ "サムライ・ブルー (Samurai Blue)" basically refers to the Japan national football team, and in fact "Samurai Blue" is not often used by the under generation.
  2. ^ "U-19日本代表 メンバー・スケジュール メキシコ遠征(11.11-11.21 メキシコ/メキシコシティ)". jfa.jp/eng/ (in Japanese). JFA. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
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