Yoshida: Japan are ready for deep World Cup run

 Former Japan defender Maya Yoshida on why a quarter-final berth should be the target in 2026 and lessons learned from a tough domestic campaign with LA Galaxy.

• Maya Yoshida was a stalwart for the Japanese national team

• Argues that the nation should be eyeing a top eight finish next year

• Reflects on lessons learned from a tricky domestic campaign with the Galaxy in Major League Soccer

When Maya Yoshida made the decision to return to the LA Galaxy for a second season in Major League Soccer (MLS), expectations were high, as the storied club captured their sixth MLS Cup title last year with the former Japan international wearing the captain's armband.

Unfortunately for Yoshida, Galaxy's season failed to live up to expectations. The defending MLS champions floundered at the bottom of the table for much of the season with key players such as Riqui Puig and Marco Reus sidelined with long-term injuries.

Nevertheless, 37-year-old Yoshida started 26 times and helped Galaxy win three of their last four games of the 2025 season, which ended on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Minnesota United at Dignity Health Sports Park.

"Maya is the consummate professional," LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. "He's a great example. His presence and leadership help especially when you have young guys around that are developing.

"We were relying on him heavy again at age 37. That's a lot for him, but he wouldn't have it any other way. Even if he's injured, he's fighting to play. He's a guy who just wants to be on the field."

Although the former Southampton defender stepped away from international football in 2023, he is still actively involved in helping Japanese football grow further. He's currently serving as the President of the Japan Pro-Footballers' Association. Having played in the USA, a co-host for next year's FIFA World Cup™ for the past two seasons, Yoshida is also expected to serve as a resource for Hajime Moriyasu's Japan, who will arrive in North America next summer with big ambitions after beating Brazil 3-2 in Tokyo last week.

FIFA recently caught up with the 126-cap Japan international to discuss his nation's World Cup targets and his time playing in MLS.

FIFA: Maya, congratulations on finishing your 22nd season in professional football. Even after so many years, were there some unique challenges that you faced this season?

Maya Yoshida: Well, first of all, I didn't realise that I've played so many years! This was the first season in which I've played as a defending champion. Greg [Vanney] mentioned earlier that we may be eliminated already from the playoffs, but until the season ends, we are still the MLS champions. So, I wanted to fight like a champion until the end. In the last two games, we showed that kind of spirit a little bit.

As captain, how difficult was it to keep your team motivated after the Galaxy lost some key players like Riqui Puig to long term injuries?

We missed players like Riqui, but I also thought, "We should probably be okay, because we still have good players. But it was much tougher than I thought. After the summer, it started to get a little better.

With Riqui coming back soon, it's great that we'll have him back, but an ACL injury is quite serious. We shouldn't expect him to immediately perform at top level. He'll need time. We shouldn't be putting too much pressure on him. Meanwhile, we need to have higher standards as a team.

I'm sure you saw Japan's recent 3-2 win over Brazil; how did it feel to see the team come back from 2-0 to beat Brazil?

I've played over 100 games for Japan. Brazil were definitely the best team that I've played against. I couldn't believe that Japan won! Of course, Brazil may not be as strong as they were at the moment but they're still Brazil. They're not a team that will accept conceding three goals. Brazil are testing new players in the defensive line and also in the goalkeeper position, but Japan also had some injured players. It was a great game. Japan are now finding it easier to manage the game [against top teams]. They're now one of the more popular teams. European teams also want to play against Japan in friendlies.

How much hope does a result like this give to Japan with less than a year to go until the FIFA World Cup 26?

The really positive thing is that Japan are likely guaranteed to be in Pot 2. Last time, we were in Pot 4. Prior to the draw, we really tried to get into Pot 3, but we couldn't, and ended up playing against Spain and Germany in the group stage. Now, if we're in Pot 2, things are different.

Do you feel like this Japan side have finally gotten over the mental hurdle to go to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history?

I think they're ready for the quarter-finals. I really feel that the players' mentality is ready. Most of Japan's current players played at the previous World Cup and also have different experiences in Europe at Champions League level. But every team will go through ups and downs. Even with Brazil, now that Carlo Ancelotti is there, they can be a completely different team in the next eight months.

You've faced Korea Republic captain Son Heungmin many times before; how much will Son playing in MLS help him prepare for the World Cup?

That was a big surprise. People often expect big names to come to MLS after the World Cup like I did for a new challenge, but a year before the World Cup, he made the decision to play in MLS. It's very interesting. Of course, he's showing his level already in MLS. He has shown that he's totally different. It's too easy for him here!

These kinds of things, they don't know, but Sonny knows now, and this will help him and Korea for sure. Especially for senior players, physical conditioning is more important than performance level. As long as you're fit, you can show your level. That's very important.