Manager Hajime Moriyasu, who led the Japanese national football team to the Round of 32 at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, has signed a six-month contract with the Japan Football Association to continue leading the national team through the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.

Major Japanese sports media outlets, including Nikkan Sports and Sports Hochi, unanimously reported the news of Manager Moriyasu's retention.

According to the reports, the Japan Football Association held a board meeting in Tokyo today and finalized the decision to keep Manager Moriyasu at the helm of the national team.

As a result, Manager Moriyasu becomes the first manager in the history of the Japanese national team to take the reins for three consecutive terms.

Having first taken charge of the national team in July 2018, Manager Moriyasu was retained after leading the team to the Round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and secured a Round of 32 finish at this North and Central America World Cup.

Following discussions regarding a successor, the Japan Football Association decided to entrust Manager Moriyasu with the national team leadership through the 2027 Asian Cup.

The Japan Football Association also decided that Go Oiwa, who currently manages the under-21 national team, will take over the senior national team helm starting in March following the conclusion of next year's Asian Cup.

Manager Oiwa, who led Kashima Antlers to victory in the 2018 AFC Champions League (ACL), took charge of the U-21 national team in December 2021 and achieved success by winning the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup to secure a berth in the Paris Olympics.

Having advanced to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics without using wildcard players, Manager Oiwa proved his capabilities by leading the U-21 national team to consecutive titles at the U-23 Asian Cup held in January 2026.

(Photo: Yonhap News)