Japan National Football Team: Coach Moriyasu to Remain in Charge Until 2027 Asian Cup
It has been revealed that Hajime Moriyasu (57), the head coach of the Japan national football team, will continue to lead the team even after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Japan Football Association (JFA) has finalized a policy to extend Moriyasu's contract by six months. As a result, the Moriyasu regime will continue further.
This contract extension is for a very unusual short period of "six months." The new contract deadline is until the "Asian Cup," which will be held in early 2027. Normally, a national team coach's contract often ends at the conclusion of a major tournament like the World Cup, but this time it has taken a form that covers the subsequent tournament.
Behind the JFA's decision is believed to be the aim of smoothly advancing the team to the next step after the World Cup ends. Coach Moriyasu will lead the team not only to achieve results at the 2026 World Cup in North America but also through the battle to determine the top of Asia immediately following it.
However, regardless of the results of the Asian Cup, Coach Moriyasu is scheduled to step down at that point. Even if they win the Asian Cup, the contract will not be extended further. From March 2027, a new coach is set to take over the Japan national team and start the next cycle.
Coach Moriyasu has supported the Japan national team for a long period since 2018. With this decision to continue, the Japan national team will challenge the major goals of the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup under a stable system. Many fans are paying close attention to the team's future growth.