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View all search resultsWorld Cup 2026: Japan's dream and Indonesia's struggle
As Japan steadily builds toward its ambitious goal of winning the World Cup by 2050, Indonesia is racing to qualify for 2026 with bold shortcuts and passionate public support. This is a tale of two soccer nations, as one plays the long game, the other fights against time.
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Clear path: A roadmap of the Japanese national soccer team’s bid to win the World Cup in 2050 highlights the Blue-ing, a mini museum of the Samurai Blue located inside Tokyo Dome City, the home base of the Tokyo Giants baseball club. (JP/Yophiandi Kurniawan)
O
n June 19, thousands packed Tokyo Dome to cheer for their favorite baseball teams, the Yomiuri Giants and the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
In Japan, baseball holds a special place in their national identity, unlike soccer, with widespread media coverage fueled by historic achievements, including an Olympic gold medal and three world championship titles.
"People my age know very well that the Japanese baseball team ranks among the top in the world," said Mieko, a senior Tokyo resident who was introduced to baseball by her parents in the 1980s.
In contrast, Mieko admitted she understands nothing about soccer. "Soccer isn't popular among our generation. Maybe young people now follow it regularly," she said.
Teenagers Kato and Kana, who only offered to share their first names, fans of the Giants and Fighters, grew up with baseball thanks to their parents.
"We watch baseball on television. Soccer is only in the news," Kato noted. Kana echoed his experience, and neither was aware that Japan has qualified for eight consecutive World Cups, including the upcoming 2026 edition. "Oh really? Congratulations. I just found out," Kana exclaimed.
Fukushi Ichirota, a spokesperson for the Japan Football Association (JFA), acknowledged soccer's lesser popularity.
