Zion Suzuki (Japan) controls the ball during Group F FIFA World Cup 2026, Netherlands and Japan, Dallas Stadium, Arlington, United States on June 14 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto) (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu hopes his side’s World Cup exploits will inspire other Asian countries after AFP footage showed Chinese football fans celebrating the success of their traditional rivals.
Japan and China have often had fraught political ties, but some Chinese supporters in Shanghai put that aside to cheer Japan’s 4-0 win over Tunisia.
Japan sealed their place in the last 32 on Thursday following a 1-1 draw with Sweden in Texas and face Brazil next.
Asked afterwards by AFP if his team felt their success was not only for Japan, but for Asia as a whole, Moriyasu said: “We are representing Japan, but we’re proud to be representing Japan towards the world.
