Moriyasu signs short‑term stay, Japan heads to Asian Cup

Moriyasu has agreed to a short‑term extension, taking charge of Japan through the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia next January‑February. The JFA initially floated an unofficial one‑year deal but settled on a limited term. After a 3‑0 win over Bolivia on 2025‑11‑18, Japan’s recent five‑match run is WWWDL, yet S. Machino and T. Kubo remain sidelined with injuries.

Why a short contract? Association’s strategy

The JFA aims to use the Asian Cup as a benchmark before appointing a long‑term boss for the 2026 World Cup. Moriyasu, who took over in 2018, guided Japan through two group stages but fell short in the knockout round. This limited deal lets the association assess his performance while keeping the door open for other candidates, such as Tsuyoshi Oiwa, currently leading the U‑21 side.

Current squad status and challenges

Japan opened its recent run with a 3‑0 victory over Bolivia (2025‑11‑18) and sits atop the Asian Cup qualifiers with 10 points. The last five games read 3W‑1D‑1L, and the team is on a three‑match winning streak, but midfield creativity has suffered without Machino and Kubo. Young midfielders are getting minutes, and Moriyasu plans to test new tactical tweaks during the tournament.

Outlook and next steps

After the Asian Cup, the JFA’s board will confirm the permanent manager. If Moriyasu opts for another extension, he could stay through the 2026 World Cup in North America. Otherwise, a new coach will take over, launching a fresh campaign for the tournament. Maintaining form, restoring injured players, and fine‑tuning tactics will be decisive for Japan’s 2026 ambitions.