Japan U23 to host 2028 Olympic qualifiers in home tournament
The Japan Football Association announced on July 30 that the U-23 Asian Cup, which doubles as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic men's soccer qualifiers, will be held in Japan. The tournament is scheduled for January 2028 or between March and April, with multiple domestic venues planned. Japan's national team is currently competing for 2nd place in the 2026 World Cup with 5 points (1 win, 2 draws). Hosting the qualifiers at home will be a significant advantage.
Olympic spots reduced, competition intensifies
The Asian quota for the 2028 Olympics has been reduced to 2 spots, with the top 2 teams from the U-23 Asian Cup earning qualification. This is a decrease from the 3.5 spots allocated for the 2024 Paris Olympics, making the competition for qualification even more fierce. The Japan Football Association had been actively bidding to host the tournament to benefit from home support.
JFA President: 'Deeply pleased'
JFA President Tsuneyuki Miyamoto expressed his joy, stating, 'I am deeply pleased. I hope many people will come to the venues to witness the intense battles for Olympic qualification, and feel the passion of the U-23 Japan national team and other Asian players.'
Japan wins hosting bid over strong competition
According to the Asian Football Confederation, Japan won the bid against strong competitors such as Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, and Uzbekistan. The decision was based on Japan's world-class facilities and low operational risks. Japan's recent form includes 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in their last 5 matches (LDWDW), maintaining strong momentum in the World Cup as well.
