Japan have been a staple at the World Cup since their debut in 1998, participating in six straight tournaments.
Qatar 2022 will be their seventh, and the Japanese are looking to make a big splash. Known as the Samurai Blue, Japan have become a powerhouse in Asian football over the past 30 years, with four AFC Asian Cup titles during that span.
However, their continental dominance hasn't translated to success on the world stage, as Japan have never progressed past the round of 16. In fact, the Japanese have perpetuated a strange pattern at World Cups since their first appearance, alternating between exits at the group stage and last-16.
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Head coach Hajime Moriyasu is tasked with breaking that pattern and bringing the Japanese to new heights, and he has a roster filled with European-tested players at his disposal. Most of Japan's Euro-based players ply their trade in the Bundesliga, although there is a sprinkling of Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Belgian Pro League and Scottish Premiership representation among the squad.
The best known of Moriyasu's men are likely Takumi Minamino and Maya Yoshida, who will be expected to bring their experience to a tough group and help the Japanese reach their elusive goal.
Here are the fixtures that will define the Japan's World Cup journey, along with kick-off times and how to watch.
Japan's World Cup 2022 fixtures, kick-off times
Group Stage
Japan have been drawn into Group E alongside Costa Rica, Germany and Spain.
| Date | Time (JST) | Fixture | Stadium |
| Nov. 23 | 10:00 p.m. | Germany vs. Japan | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Nov. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | Costa Rica | Ahmad bin Ali Stadium |
| Dec. 2 | 4:00 a.m. | Japan vs. Spain | Khalifa International Stadium |
Round of 16
| Date | Time (JST) | Fixture | Stadium |
| Dec. 6 | 12:00 a.m. | Japan s. Croatia | Al Janoub Stadium |
Japan's World Cup 2022 squad
GOALKEEPERS
- Eiji Kawashima
- Shūichi Gonda
- Daniel Schmidt
DEFENDERS
- Miki Yamane
- Shōgo Taniguchi
- Kō Itakura
- Yūto Nagatomo
- Takehiro Tomiyasu
- Hiroki Sakai
- Maya Yoshida
- Hiroki Itō
MIDFIELDERS
- Wataru Endo
- Gaku Shibasaki
- Ritsu Dōan
- Kaoru Mitoma
- Takumi Minamino
- Takefusa Kubo
- Hidemasa Morita
- Junya Ito
- Daichi Kamada
- Ao Tanaka
- Yūki Sōma
FORWARDS
- Takuma Asano
- Shūto Machino
- Ayase Ueda
- Daizen Maeda
What stadiums will Japan play in at World Cup 2022?
Japan will play at two different venues during the group stage.
Khalifa International Stadium - Germany vs. Japan & Japan vs. Spain
Japan's first and last group stage matches will be played at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, a 45,416-seat venue that is by far the oldest at Qatar 2022.
Opened in 1976, it's a multipurpose venue that has hosted track and field events as well as football events. The stadium has undergone numerous renovations, including major redevelopments in 2005 and 2017, to increase capacity and amenities.
Major events that have been hosted at the venue include the 2006 Asian Games, 2011 Pan Arab Games, 2019 World Athletics Championships and a pair of 2019 FIFA Club World Cup matches. It will host eight World Cup games, including the third-place match.
Ahmad bin Ali Stadium - Japan vs. Costa Rica
Officially named the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, the Al-Rayyan Stadium is nicknamed as such due to the city in which it stands.
The 50,000-seat venue is actually the second stadium to be built on the same spot, with its predecessor holding less than half the capacity and standing from 2003-2015.
Home to Al-Rayyan SC and Al Kharaitiyat SC of the Qatar Stars League, the stadium opened in 2020 and has since hosted matches in the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup and the FIFA Arab Cup 2021. More recently, the stadium hosted the two intercontinental play-off matches that determined the final two countries (Australia and Costa Rica) to advance to Qatar 2022.
Al-Rayyan Stadium will host seven matches at Qatar 2022.
Japan's World Cup 2022 matches: How to watch
All of Japan's games will be broadcast on DENTSU LIVE in that country.