Japan women's national football team

Japan
Nickname(s)なでしこジャパン (Nadeshiko Japan)
AssociationJFA
ConfederationAFC
Sub-confederationEAFF
Head coachNils Nielsen
CaptainYui Hasegawa
Most capsHomare Sawa (205)
Top scorerHomare Sawa (83)
FIFA codeJPN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 7 2 (12 June 2025)[1]
Highest3 (December 2011 – September 2014)
Lowest14 (July 2003 – March 2004)
First international
 Chinese Taipei 1–0  
(British Hong Kong; 7 June 1981)
Biggest win
  21–0 Guam 
(Guangzhou, China; 5 December 1997)
Biggest defeat
 Italy 9–0  
(Tokyo, Japan; 9 September 1981)[2]
 United States 9–0  
(Charlotte, United States; 29 April 1999)[2]
World Cup
Appearances9 (first in 1991)
Best resultChampions (2011)
Olympic Games
Appearances6 (first in 1996)
Best resultRunners-up (2012)
Asian Cup
Appearances18 (first in 1977)
Best resultChampions (2014, 2018)
Websitejfa.jp/eng/nadeshikojapan/

The Japan women's national football team (Japanese: サッカー日本女子代表, Hepburn: Sakkā Nippon Joshi Daihyō), commonly known as Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン),[3] represents Japan in women's association football and is run by the Japan Football Association (JFA). One of the two countries to win every FIFA competition and the most successful women's national team in the Asian Football Confederation, its highest ranking in the FIFA Women's World Rankings is 3rd, achieved in December 2011.[4]

Nadeshiko Japan defeated the United States in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, thus claiming their first FIFA Women's World Cup title, becoming the first Asian team to do so and only the fourth women's world champions.[5] It won silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, making it the only Asian team to have three combined medals from international championships.[6] It also won gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 AFC Women's Asian Cups, the 2010 and 2018 Asian Games, and the 2008, 2010, and 2019 EAFF Football Championships.

History

1970s and 1980s

During the 1970s, the number of women football players and teams increased in Japan, and teams made up regional leagues in various parts of Japan. In 1977, a team representing Japan participated in its first international tournament, the 1977 AFC Women's Championship. But this team was not actually a national team, since the Japan Football Association dispatched a club team, FC Jinnan as its representative.[7][8] In 1980, "All-Japan Women's Football Championship" was held. In 1981, the Japan Football Association formed the first national team for the 1981 AFC Women's Championship[9] and Seiki Ichihara managed as the first Japan national team manager.[2] The first match against Chinese Taipei on 7 June at this tournament was the first match for a Japan national team.[2] In 1984, a national team was gathered for the first time in three years for a China expedition, with Takao Orii managing the squad.[2]

In January 1986, Ryohei Suzuki became the first full-time manager for the national team. In December, Japan won 2nd place at the 1986 AFC Women's Championship. In 1989, the "Japan Women's Football League" (abbreviated to "L. League") was established, and the women's national team qualified for the "1991 FIFA Women's World Cup" in China.

Verge of decline (1990s)

Japan women's national football team attended various championship tournaments such as the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup which had made the national team and the L.League very popular. However, in 1999, Japan failed to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics, and along with economic stagnation (Lost Decade) this helped cause the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League. Japanese women's football was on the verge of decline.

Regeneration (2002-2008)

In August 2002, the Japan Football Association appointed Eiji Ueda, who had been coach for the Macau national football team, as the new head coach. Officials expected a revitalization of women's football and planned a team reorganization, aiming for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team at first went through a losing streak, but Ueda gradually improved the team, and it eventually gained wide support in Japan. In particular, a game against Korea DPR, which decided who would participate in the 2004 Olympics, not only made fans rush to the National Stadium but also was widely watched on TV.

Following the increase in public interest in women's football in Japan, the JFA organized a public contest to select a nickname for the team. "Nadeshiko Japan" was chosen from among about 2,700 entries and was announced on 7 July 2004. "Nadeshiko", a kind of dianthus, comes from the phrase "Yamato Nadeshiko" (大和撫子, "ideal Japanese woman").

2003 and 2007 World Cup

Japan faced Germany, Canada and Argentina for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Beginning with a 6–0 thrashing of newcomer Argentina, Japan subsequently fell 0–3 to the eventual champions Germany, followed by a loss of 1–3 to Canada, the team that ultimately finished 4th.

In the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup held in China, they again faced Germany and Argentina, with England making up the group. They started with a 2–2 draw against England, before beating Argentina 1–0. A 0–2 defeat to reigning champion Germany again eliminated Japan from the group stage.

2008 Summer Olympics

After qualifying from the preliminary round, Nadeshiko faced the United States, Norway and New Zealand in Group C of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing.

In the first match, they drew 2-2 with the Football Ferns of New Zealand and then lost 1-0 to the Americans in the second match. However, as the two best third-placed teams progressed, Japan secured qualification for the quarter-finals with a 5-1 win over Norway in the final match of the group phase.

In the quarter-finals, the Japanese eliminated the host China with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Homare Sawa and Yuki Nagasato. It was the first time that Japan had advanced beyond the quarter-finals in any international women's football competition.

At the semifinals, Japan met the United States again, but just like in the group stage, the Americans came out on top, winning 4-2. In the bronze medal match, Nadeshiko ended up being defeated by Germany 2-0.

2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup

Like the 2008 Women's Olympic Football Tournament, the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup was also held in China. Japan was drawn in Group A with North Korea, Thailand and Myanmar.

After two thrashings against Myanmar (7-0) and Thailand (4-0), Nadeshiko finished the group stage as leaders, beating North Korea 2-1. In the semi-finals, however, they were defeated by Australia thanks to a goal by Kate Gill before the end of the first half. The Matildas would go on to win the tournament.

In the third-place play-off, Japan defeated hosts China 2-0 and secured the last Asian spot in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup (Australia and North Korea also qualified as finalists in that tournament).

Golden Period and World Champions (2011–2015)

2011 World Cup

After finishing third in the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup, Japan qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 finals in Germany. There were certain doubts whether Nadeshiko would play in that tournament due to the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami which happened a couple of months before, but the participation was confirmed at the last minute.

After finishing second in their group behind England, Japan shocked the world beating two-time defending champion and host nation Germany 1–0 in the quarterfinals, before easily defeating Sweden 3–1 to reach the final.

After the final game finished 2–2 after extra time, Japan beat the United States 3–1 in a penalty shootout, becoming the first Asian team to win the FIFA Women's World Cup, and the first Asian team to win a senior FIFA title.[12][13] It came right after men's team won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, marked their most successful year in Japanese football.

2012 Summer Olympics

Japan qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by finishing first in the Asian qualifier in September 2011, only 6 weeks after winning the Women's World Cup. At the Olympics, after finishing second in their group behind Sweden, Nadeshiko Japan defeated Brazil 2–0 in the quarterfinals, followed by a 2–1 victory over France, whom Nadeshiko had lost to in a friendly match right before the Olympics, to reach the final.

In a rematch of the World Cup final, Japan was defeated in the Olympic final by a score of 1–2 against the United States, allowing two goals to Carli Lloyd in the 8th and 54th minutes. Yūki Ōgimi scored the lone goal for Japan.[14]

The Japan Football Association (JFA) was accused of sexism, after flying the men's Olympic team on business class and the women's team on economy class.[15]

2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup

Despite having won a FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011, Japan entered the 2014 Asian Cup having never previously won the tournament. They were drawn with defending champions Australia, host Vietnam and newcomer Jordan. Their first match in the group stage of the tournament resulted in a 2–2 draw against the Matildas.[16] Also in the group stage, Japan upset host Vietnam by a 4–0 win before defeating Jordan with a 7–0 win to finish first with a higher goal difference.

In the semi-final, Japan beat eight-time champions China 2–1 after 120'. In the final, they met Australia once again and successfully earned a 1–0 win with Azusa Iwashimizu's goal. This marked the first time for Japan to become "Queen of Asia". They became the first Asian team to subsequently win both the FIFA Women's World Cup and AFC Women's Asian Cup. Because of their top placement in the tournament, Japan, Australia, China, South Korea and newcomer Thailand secured their spot at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup to be played in Canada the following year.[17]

2015 World Cup

Japan, then fourth in the world, was drawn into Group C for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, with tournament debutants Ecuador, Switzerland, and Cameroon. Japan won all three games, securing passage into the Round of 16, where they drew yet another tournament debutant in the Netherlands. Saori Ariyoshi and Mizuho Sakaguchi scored goals for Japan, and they ultimately survived a couple of nervy moments to get into the quarterfinals.

In a all-Asian quarterfinal against Australia, Japan once again used their technical possession game to frustrate the Matildas and negate their speed. Mana Iwabuchi notched the only goal of the game three minutes from time to send Japan to the semifinals.

Against England in the semifinals, Nadeshiko Japan was able to survive against the tenacious Lionesses, as the two teams traded goals from the penalty spot (Aya Miyama for Japan, Fara Williams for England). Deadlocked from the 40th minute on, Japan got a truly fortunate break as English centre back Laura Bassett, in trying to clear out a Japan cross, ended up scoring an own-goal at the death. This set up a rematch with the United States from the 2011 Women's World Cup.

Unfortunately for Japan, the Americans came out flying and scored four goals in the first 16 minutes of the match, with American midfielder Carli Lloyd scoring a hat trick in the process. Yuki Ogimi brought Japan one back in the 27th minute, and an own goal from Julie Johnston halved the American lead, but Tobin Heath put the final touch on the United States' third Women's World Cup victory.

Asian domination and Brief decline (2016–2022)

2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup

Defending champions Japan won in 2014 and played in the continental competition held in Jordan in a group with then-runners-up Australia, South Korea and Vietnam. In Group C, Nadeshiko beat the Vietnamese 4-0 and drew the following two games against the South Koreans and the Australians. As Japan, Australia and South Korea each finished with 5 points, the tiebreaker was goal difference and the Japanese finished second behind Australia (the goal difference was also decisive for Japan to secure a direct spot in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup over South Korea).

In the semi-finals, Japan defeated again China by 3–1 with a goal from Mana Iwabuchi and two goals from Kumi Yokoyama. The final match in Amman was a repeat of the 2014 final between Japan and Australia, in which Nadeshiko defeated the Matildas again thanks to a goal scored by Yokoyama in the 84th minute. It was Japan's second continental title and their second title in a row.

2019 World Cup

While Japan remains on a title and a runners-up spot at the last two editions of the World Cup as well as a runner-up spot at the 2012 Olympics, it failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympics while the World Cup 2019 sees the country of the Rising Sun being knocked out pretty quickly. Nadeshiko Japan, who no longer benefit from the surprise effect unlike previous tournaments, passed the first round without glory, with a narrow victory over Scotland (2–1) a goalless draw against Argentina (0–0) as well as a defeat against England (0–2) in the last group match for first place in group D. The Japanese find the Netherlands at the same stage of the competition as 4 years earlier, but the confrontation this time turns to the advantage of the Oranje who take their revenge and eliminated Japan by the same score by which they had lost in 2015 (1–2).

Olympic Games in 2021 at home

Japan is encountering the same difficulties during the 2020 Olympic Games organized at home and postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In front of their public, Japan passed the first round with difficulty, with a victory snatched in extremis on the edge of the last quarter of an hour of the game on the last day against Chile (1–0) to finish among the 2 best 3rd in the group, having had a few scares with a header from the Chilean Francisca Lara having rebounded on the goal line without crossing it just after hitting the bar,[18] and this shortly before the saving Japanese goal. Japan, which had in the meantime struggled against the other top names in the group (1–1 draw against Canada after being behind and missing a penalty, 0–1 defeat against Great Britain), confirms its difficulties against to the big teams like this first round and the 2019 World Cup by falling in the next round against Sweden (1–3).

2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup

Still suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan was seeking its third consecutive continental title in India. In the first phase, Nadeshiko beat Myanmar (5-0) and Vietnam (3-0) and drew 1-1 with South Korea, finishing first in the group.

In the quarterfinals, they secured a direct spot in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup by beating Thailand 7-0. However, their dream of a third consecutive championship ended when they were defeated by China in the semifinals on penalties by 4-3 after a 2-2 draw that lasted until 120 minutes of extra time.

The New Era (2023–2024)

2023 World Cup

Japan finished first in Group C with Spain, Zambia and Costa Rica, winning all three group games, scoring 11 goals and conceded none. Japan's technical mastery made a strong impression in particular in her 4–0 victory against Spain, the eventual champion. That was a landmark match that broke long-held FIFA records. Japan women's 23% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA Women's World Cup since 2011. This is often compared to Japan 2-1 Spain in 2022 FIFA World Cup Group E, which Japan's 18% of possession is the lowest for a winning side at the FIFA World Cup since 1966.[19][20][21] Match statistics reflected Japan women was more incisive and efficient, with only 23% possession, their expected goal (xG) was 0.9 vs 0.7, shots attempted were 7 vs 10, shots on target were 5 vs 2, and goals scored were 4 vs 0.[22]

In the knockout stage, Japan was able to beat Norway 3–1[23] and advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015. Facing Sweden, another Scandinavian in the quarter-finals, Japan was hailed as favorite due to their four consecutive wins at this World Cup, but, unfortunately for the Nadeshiko, they were unable to create as many chances as they did against Norway. Japan found themselves trailing by 2 goals to nothing at halftime, and Honoka Hayashi's goal in the 87th minute ended as the only effort Japan could effectively turn into a goal. Losing by 2–1, they were eliminated from the World Cup, and the second time in succession that Japan fell to Sweden in a major competition, as they were also eliminated at the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics just two years prior, on 2021.

Paris 2024 Olympic Women's Football Tournament

After eliminating North Korea in the third round of the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Nadeshiko Japan returned to qualify for an Olympic Games for the first time since London 2012 (they failed to qualify for the Rio 2016 Games). In the first match against Spain, they opened the score with a beautiful free-kick shoot from Aoba Fujino, but the Spanish came back by winning 2-1 with the goals of Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey. Against Brazil in the second match, the Nadeshiko was losing the match by 1-0 until the final stoppage time when a penalty kick of Saki Kumagai and a 40-meter goal shot from Momoko Tanikawa turned the match around and prevented Japan from being eliminated in the group stage until then.

In the last match of the group phase against Nigeria, the Japanese qualified to the quarter-finals winning the Nigerians by 3-1 with goals from Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka and a free-kick from Hikaru Kitagawa. Although they made a great match against United States in the quarter-finals, Japan was eliminated losing to the Americans by 1-0 due to a goal of Trinity Rodman. At the end, Nadeshiko Japan end the Paris campaign in the fifth place, the best of the non-semifinalists.[24]

Team image

Nicknames

The Japan women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Nadeshiko Japan". The word Nadeshiko has several meanings.

The term “Yamato nadeshiko” (which came the expression) was an old expression often used to describe the traditional Japanese woman as a woman who was beautiful and delicate on the outside but strong and determined on the inside, although she was often submissive to men. In fact, the word Yamato is the name given to the race and ethnicity of people from which Japan was formed (as it is also the name of the Japanese imperial dynasty that rules the country to this day). In modern times, the term “Yamato Nadeshiko” has been updated to mean “a modest woman” who is both strong, mature and determined, as well as beautiful, delicate and graceful.

The nickname was coined by the Japan Football Association in 2004 after a fan vote during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, which was intended to convey that the Japanese female player was strong and brave like an athlete, feminine like a woman and Japanese with both a patriotic and nationalistic character. At first, it was not widely accepted by the public and the media until the 2011 Women’s World Cup. After the 2011 World Cup title, the expression Nadeshiko completely changed to “the female football player from Japan”.[25]

Home stadium

Japan play its home matches among various stadiums, in rotation, around the country.

Rivalries

China

Both Japan and China was the first nations to became Asian continental powerhouses in women's football at 1970s. While the Steel Roses had a dominance by the decades of 1980, 1990 and 2000, Nadeshiko Japan reversed the rivalry and the dominance in the beginning of the 2010s. It's the biggest women's football rivalry in the continent.

Australia

Although the first match between both national teams started in 1984, since the Australians came to AFC in 2006 both Nadeshiko Japan and the Matildas created the most significant women's football rivalry in Asia with a lot of AFC Women's Asian Cup title matches and a FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal.

North Korea

Another big rival of Nadeshiko Japan, the Azaleas from North Korea created this rivalry at the same time than the rivalry of Japan with China. Although the North Koreans don't play a lot of recently matches against the Japanese in professional terms, in the U-20 and U-17 competitions is the biggest rivalry of the continent.

South Korea

Unlike men's football, the rivalry between Japan and South Korea in women's football is still recent (created in the 1990s). But it's not a rivalry below due to the history of the two countries.

United States

Outside Asia, the biggest rival of Nadeshiko Japan is United States. Both teams created the rivalry in the 1980s and both teams have always faced each other in decisive instances, including two consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup finals recently in 2011 and 2015.

Overall competitive record

  • All results list Japan goal tally first.
  • Goal scorers are sorted alphabetically.
  • Colors gold, silver, and bronze indicate first-, second-, and third-place finishes.

Overall record

Competition Stage Result Opponent Position Scorers
1981 Asian Championship Round 1 0–1 Chinese Taipei 3 / 4
0–2 Thailand
1–0 Indonesia Handa
1986 Asian Championship Round 1 0–2 China 2 / 3
10–0 Malaysia Takakura (2), Nagamine (4), Kioka (2), Tezuka, Matsuda
Semifinals 4–0 Thailand Kioka, Nagamine, Noda, Matsuda
Final 0–2 China
1989 Asian Championship Round 1 3–0 Hong Kong 1 / 4
11–0 Indonesia
14–0 Nepal
Semifinals 0–1 Chinese Taipei
Third place 9–0 Hong Kong
1990 Asian Games Main Round 0–5 China
5–0 Hong Kong
8–1 South Korea
1–1 North Korea
3–1 Chinese Taipei 2 / 6
1991 Asian Championship Round 1 1–0 North Korea 1 / 5
4–1 Hong Kong
12–0 Malaysia
12–0 Singapore
Semifinals 0–0 (PSO: 5–4) Chinese Taipei
Final 0–5 China
1991 World Cup Round 1 0–1 Brazil 4 / 4
0–8 Sweden
0–3 United States
1993 Asian Championship Round 1 6–1 Chinese Taipei 1 / 4
15–0 Philippines
4–0 Hong Kong
Semifinals 1–3 China
Final 3–0 Chinese Taipei
1994 Asian Games Round 1 1–1 China 2 / 4
3–0 Chinese Taipei
5–0 South Korea
Final 0–2 China
1995 World Cup Round 1 0–1 Germany 3 / 4
2–1 Brazil
0–2 Sweden
Quarterfinals 0–4 United States
1995 Asian Championship Round 1 1–0 South Korea 1 / 4
6–0 India
17–0 Uzbekistan
Semifinals 3–0 Chinese Taipei
Final 0–2 China
1996 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–3 Germany 4 / 4
0–2 Brazil
0–4 Norway
1997 Asian Championship Round 1 21–0 Guam 1 / 4
1–0 India
9–0 Hong Kong
Semifinals 0–1 North Korea
Third place 2–0 Chinese Taipei
1998 Asian Games Round 1 6–0 Thailand 2 / 4
2–3 North Korea
8–0 Vietnam
Semifinals 0–3 China
Third place 2–1 Chinese Taipei
1999 World Cup Round 1 1–1 Canada 4 / 4
0–5 Russia
0–4 Norway
1999 Asian Championship Round 1 9–0 Thailand 1 / 5
5–1 Uzbekistan
14–0 Nepal
6–0 Philippines
Semifinals 0–2 Chinese Taipei
Third place 2–3 North Korea
2001 Asian Championship Round 1 14–0 Singapore 2 / 5
11–0 Guam
0–1 North Korea
3–1 Vietnam
Semifinals 2–1 South Korea
Final 0–2 North Korea
2002 Asian Games Main round 0–1 North Korea
3–0 Vietnam
1–0 South Korea
2–2 China
2–0 Chinese Taipei 3 / 6
2003 Asian Championship Round 1 15–0 Philippines 1 / 5
7–0 Guam
7–0 Myanmar
5–0 Chinese Taipei
Semifinals 0–3 North Korea
Third place 0–1 South Korea
2003 World Cup Round 1 6–0 Argentina 3 / 4
0–3 Germany
1–3 Canada
2004 Summer Olympics Round 1 1–0 Sweden 3 / 3
0–1 Nigeria
Quarterfinals 1–2 United States Awarded the Fair Play Award
2005 East Asian Championship Main Round 0–1 North Korea
0–0 China
0–0 South Korea 3 / 4 Awarded the Fair Play Award
2006 Asian Games Round 1 13–0 Jordan 1 / 4
4–0 Thailand
1–0 China
Semifinals 3–1 South Korea
Final 0–0 (PSO: 2–4) South Korea
2006 Asian Championship Round 1 5–0 Vietnam 1 / 4
11–1 Chinese Taipei
1–0 China
Semifinals 0–2 Australia
Third place 2–3 North Korea
2007 World Cup Round 1 2–2 England 3 / 4
1–0 Argentina
0–2 Germany
2008 East Asian Championship Main Round 3–2 North Korea
2–0 South Korea
3–0 China 1 / 4
2008 Asian Cup Round 1 1–3 South Korea 1 / 4
11–0 Chinese Taipei
3–1 Australia
Semifinals 1–3 China
Third place 3–0 Australia
2008 Summer Olympics qualification Final round 2–0 Vietnam 1 / 4
4–0 Thailand
6–1 South Korea
2008 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–2 New Zealand 3 / 4
0–1 United States
5–1 Norway
Quarterfinals 2–0 China
Semifinals 2–4 United States
Third place 0–2 Germany
2010 East Asian Championship Round 1 2–0 China
3–0 Chinese Taipei
2–1 South Korea 1 / 4
2010 Asian Cup Round 1 8–0 Myanmar 1 / 4
4–0 Thailand
2–1 North Korea
Semifinals 0–1 Australia
Third place 2–0 China
2010 Asian Games Round 1 4–0 Thailand 1 / 3
0–0 North Korea
Semifinals 1–0 China
Final 1–0 North Korea
2011 World Cup Round 1 2–1 New Zealand 2 / 4
4–0 Mexico
0–2 England
Quarterfinals 1–0 Germany
Semifinals 3–1 Sweden
Final 2–2 (PSO: 3–1) United States Awarded the Fair Play Award
2012 Summer Olympics qualification Final round 3–0 Thailand
2–1 South Korea
1–0 Australia
1–1 North Korea
1–0 China
2012 Summer Olympics Round 1 2–1 Canada 2 / 4
0–0 Sweden
0–0 South Africa
Quarterfinals 2–0 Brazil
Semifinals 2–1 France
Finals 1–2 United States
2013 EAFF Women's East Asian Cup Final round 2–0 China
0–0 North Korea
1–2 South Korea
2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 2–2 Australia 1 / 4
4–0 Vietnam
7–0 Jordan
Semifinals 2–1 China PR
Final 1–0 Australia Awarded the Fair Play Award
2015 World Cup Round 1 1–0 Switzerland 1 / 4
2–1 Cameroon
1–0 Ecuador
Round of 16 2–1 Netherlands
Quarterfinals 1–0 Australia
Semifinals 2–1 England
Final 2–5 United States
2018 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 4–0 Vietnam 2 / 4
0–0 South Korea
1–1 Australia
Semi-finals 3–1 China
Final 1–0 Australia Awarded the Fair Play Award
2018 Asian Games Round 1 2–0 Thailand 1 / 3
7–0 Vietnam
Quarter-finals 2–1 North Korea
Semi-finals 2–1 South Korea
Final 1–0 China
2019 World Cup Round 1 0–0 Argentina 2 / 4
2–1 Scotland
0–2 England
Round of 16 1–2 Netherlands
2020 Summer Olympics Round 1 1–1 Canada 3 / 4
0–1 Great Britain
1–0 Chile
Quarterfinals 1–3 Sweden
2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup Round 1 5–0 Myanmar 1 / 4
3–0 Vietnam
1–1 South Korea
Quarterfinals 7–0 Thailand
Semifinals 2–2 (PSO: 3–4) China
2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship (women) Final round 2–1 South Korea
4–1 Chinese Taipei
0–0 China 1 / 4


source:[26]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

2024

13 July MS&AD Cup   4–0  Ghana Kanazawa, Japan
15:20 UTC+9
  • Tanaka 51'
  • Hamano 65'
  • Fujino 67'
  • Ueki 80'
Report (JFA) Stadium: Kanazawa Go Go Curry Stadium
Attendance: 9,648
Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (Korea)
19 July Unofficial friendly   1–1  Colombia Le Touquet, France
25 July Olympic Games GS Spain  2–1   Nantes, France
17:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stade de la Beaujoire
Attendance: 10,377
28 July Olympic Games GS Brazil  1–2   Paris, France
17:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Parc de Princes
Attendance: 40,918
31 July Olympic Games GS   3–1  Nigeria Nantes, France
17:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade de la Beaujoire
Attendance: 6,480
Referee: Emikar Calderas (Venezuela
3 August Olympic Games QF United States  1–0 (a.e.t.)   Paris, France
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Parc de Princes
Attendance: 43,004
Referee: Tess Olofsson (Sweden)
26 October Mizuho Blue Dream Match[27]   4–0  South Korea Tokyo, Japan
14:20 UTC+9
Report (JFA)
Report (KFA)
Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 12,420

2025

20 February SheBelieves Cup   4–0  Australia Houston, United States
16:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium
Attendance: 5,243
23 February SheBelieves Cup Colombia  1–4   Glendale, United States
13:00 UTC−7
Report (USS)
Report (JFA)
Stadium: State Farm Stadium
Attendance: 12,624
Referee: Alex Billeter (USA)
26 February SheBelieves Cup United States  1–2   San Diego, United States
19:30 UTC−8
Report
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium
Attendance: 17,188
6 April Friendly   1–1  Colombia Osaka, Japan
14:00 UTC+9 Takahashi 90+4' (pen.) Report Torres 35' Stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium
Attendance: 8,381
Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (South Korea)
8 April Unofficial Friendly   6–1  Colombia Sakai, Japan
Report
Attendance: 500
30 May Friendly Brazil  3–1   São Paulo, Brazil
21:30 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Arena Corinthians
2 June Friendly Brazil  2–1   São Paulo, Brazil
20:00 UTC−3
Report
Stadium: Estádio Cícero de Souza Marques
27 June Friendly Spain  3–1   Leganés, Spain
21:00 UTC+2 Pina 44'
López 66'
Del Castillo 88'
Tanaka 30' Stadium: Butarque
Attendance: 9,458
Referee: Milica Milovanović (Serbia)
16 July EAFF E-1 Football Championship   v  China Suwon, South Korea
16:00 UTC+9 Stadium: Suwon World Cup Stadium
29 November MS&AD Cup   v TBC Nagasaki, Japan
--:-- UTC+9 Source Stadium: Peace Stadium

All-time results

As of 2 June 2025, after the match against Brazil.
Results by year[28] FIFA ranking by year[29]
Year Pld W D L Win % FR BR WR BC BF
Total 18 10 3 5 055.56 7 3 14 5 4
2025 6 3 1 2 050.00
2024 12 7 2 3 058.33

Head-to-head record

As of 2 June 2025, after the match against Brazil.

Staff

Coaching staff

As of 12 December 2024
Role Name Start date Ref.
Head coach Nils Nielsen 12 December 2024 [32]
Assistant coach Michihisa Kano 5 January 2025 [33]
Assistant coach Leah Blayney 5 January 2025 [34]
Goalkeeper coach Toshihiro Nishiiri 5 January 2025 [33]
Physical trainer Ryugo Okamoto 5 January 2025 [33]
Technical director Mitsumasa Kosugi 5 January 2025 [33]

Head coach history

Name Years Matches Won Drawn Lost Win %
Seiki Ichihara (市原 聖曠) 1981 0 0 0 0 0%
Takao Orii (折井 孝男) 1984 0 0 0 0 0%
Ryohei Suzuki (鈴木 良平) 1986–1989 0 0 0 0 0%
Satoshi Miyauchi (宮内 聡) 1997–1999 0 0 0 0 0%
Shinobu Ikeda (池田 司信) 2000–2001 0 0 0 0 0%
Eiji Ueda (上田 栄治) 2002–2004 0 0 0 0 0%
Hiroshi Ohashi (大橋 浩司) 2004–2008 0 0 0 0 0%
Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫) 2008–2016 0 0 0 0 0%
Asako Takakura (高倉 麻子) 2016–2021 0 0 0 0 0%
Futoshi Ikeda (池田 太) 2021–2024 33 21 4 8 55.56%
Norio Sasaki (佐々木 則夫) 2024 (interim) 1 1 0 0 100%
Nils Nielsen (ニルス・ニールセン) 2024–present 6 3 1 2 50%
As of 2 June 2025, after the match against Brazil.

Players

Current squad

The following 18 players were named to the squad for the friendly match against Spain on 27 June 2025.[35]

Caps and goals are as of 27 June 2025, after the match against Spain.[36]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Ayaka Yamashita (山下 杏也加) (1995-09-29) 29 September 1995 79 0 Manchester City
12 1GK Hannah Stambaugh (スタンボー 華) (1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 0 0 Angel City

2 2DF Saori Takarada (宝田 沙織) (1999-12-27) 27 December 1999 25 1 Cerezo Osaka Yanmar
3 2DF Moeka Minami (南 萌華) (1998-12-07) 7 December 1998 61 5 Roma
4 2DF Saki Kumagai (熊谷 紗希) (1990-10-17) 17 October 1990 161 3 London City Lionesses
5 2DF Miyabi Moriya (守屋 都弥) (1996-08-22) 22 August 1996 18 2 Angel City
6 2DF Tōko Koga (古賀 塔子) (2006-01-06) 6 January 2006 17 2 Tottenham Hotspur
13 2DF Hikaru Kitagawa (北川 ひかる) (1997-05-10) 10 May 1997 19 2 BK Häcken FF

7 3MF Hinata Miyazawa (宮澤 ひなた) (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 47 9 Manchester United
9 3MF Yuka Momiki (籾木 結花) (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 45 15 Leicester City
10 3MF Fuka Nagano (長野 風花) (1999-03-09) 9 March 1999 50 1 Liverpool
15 3MF Aoba Fujino (藤野 あおば) (2004-01-27) 27 January 2004 30 8 Manchester City
16 3MF Narumi Miura (三浦 成美) (1997-07-03) 3 July 1997 34 1 Washington Spirit
17 3MF Maika Hamano (浜野 まいか) (2004-05-09) 9 May 2004 20 6 Chelsea
18 3MF Hina Sugita (杉田 妃和) (1997-01-31) 31 January 1997 49 3 Portland Thorns
19 3MF Momoko Tanikawa (谷川 萌々子) (2005-05-07) 7 May 2005 10 3 Bayern Munich

11 4FW Mina Tanaka (田中 美南) (1994-04-28) 28 April 1994 91 44 Utah Royals
20 4FW Manaka Matsukubo (松窪 真心) (2004-07-28) 28 July 2004 5 0 North Carolina Courage

(Players are listed within position group by order of kit number, seniority, caps, goals, and then alphabetically)

The following 23 players were named to the squad for the 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, held from 9 to 16 July 2025 in South Korea.[37]

Caps and goals are as of 27 June 2025, after the match against Spain.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Chika Hirao (平尾 知佳) (1996-12-31) 31 December 1996 11 0 Granada
12 1GK Natsumi Asano (浅野 菜摘) (1997-04-14) 14 April 1997 0 0 Chifure AS Elfen Saitama
23 1GK Akane Okuma (大熊 茜) (2004-09-15) 15 September 2004 0 0 INAC Kobe Leonessa

2 2DF Yu Endo (遠藤 優) (1997-10-29) 29 October 1997 1 0 Urawa Reds
3 2DF Shiori Miyake (三宅 史織) (1995-10-13) 13 October 1995 42 0 INAC Kobe Leonessa
4 2DF Chisato Ichinose (市瀬 千里) (1999-06-07) 7 June 1999 0 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
5 2DF Hana Takahashi (高橋 はな) (2000-02-19) 19 February 2000 35 4 Urawa Reds
21 2DF Rion Ishikawa (石川 璃音) (2003-07-04) 4 July 2003 9 0 Everton
22 2DF Hana Shimada (嶋田 華) (2002-12-18) 18 December 2002 0 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina

6 3MF Oto Kanno (菅野 奏音) (2000-10-13) 13 October 2000 0 0 Tokyo Verdy Beleza
7 3MF Miu Kitamura (北村 美羽) (2001-10-21) 21 October 2001 0 0 JEF United Chiba
8 3MF Yui Narumiya (成宮 唯) (1995-02-22) 22 February 1995 9 4 INAC Kobe Leonessa
10 3MF Yuzuho Shiokoshi (塩越 柚歩) (1997-11-01) 1 November 1997 7 2 Tokyo Verdy Beleza
11 3MF Yume Takikawa (滝川 結女) (1999-08-31) 31 August 1999 0 0 Albirex Niigata
14 3MF Riko Yoshida (吉田 莉胡) (2002-06-18) 18 June 2002 0 0 INAC Kobe Leonessa

9 4FW Yuzuki Yamamoto (山本 柚月) (2002-09-01) 1 September 2002 1 0 Tokyo Verdy Beleza
13 4FW Miyu Yakata (矢形 海優) (1999-12-30) 30 December 1999 0 0 Mynavi Sendai
15 4FW Mami Ueno (上野 真実) (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 12 1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
16 4FW Haruka Osawa (大澤 春花) (2001-04-15) 15 April 2001 0 0 VfB Stuttgart
17 4FW Megu Hamada (浜田 芽来) (2000-12-27) 27 December 2000 0 0 RB Omiya Ardija
18 4FW Moka Hiwatari (樋渡 百花) (2005-10-09) 9 October 2005 0 0 Tokyo Verdy Beleza
19 4FW Yoshino Nakashima (中嶋 淑乃) (1999-07-27) 27 July 1999 7 3 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina
20 4FW Haruna Aikawa (愛川 陽菜) (2003-12-04) 4 December 2003 0 0 INAC Kobe Leonessa

(Players are listed within position group by order of kit number, seniority, caps, goals, and then alphabetically)

Recent call-ups

The following players have been named to the squad in the past 12 months.[38]

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Runa Konomi (木稲 瑠那) (2000-08-06) 6 August 2000 0 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina v.  Colombia, 8 April 2025
GK Shu Ohba (大場 朱羽) (2002-07-11) 11 July 2002 0 0 Ole Miss Rebels 2024 Summer Olympics ALT

DF Remina Chiba (千葉 玲海菜) (1999-04-30) 30 April 1999 17 4 Eintracht Frankfurt v.  Brazil, 2 June 2025
DF Rio Sasaki (佐々木 里緒) (2004-09-17) 17 September 2004 1 0 Mynavi Sendai v.  Colombia, 8 April 2025
DF Shinomi Koyama (小山 史乃観) (2005-01-31) 31 January 2005 1 0 North Carolina Courage v.  South Korea, 26 October 2024
DF Risa Shimizu (清水 梨紗) (1996-06-15) 15 June 1996 78 4 Manchester City 2024 Summer Olympics INJ

MF Maya Hijikata (土方 麻椰) (2004-04-13) 13 April 2004 0 0 Tokyo Verdy Beleza 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship INJ
MF Yui Hasegawa (長谷川 唯) (1997-01-29) 29 January 1997 93 20 Manchester City v.  Spain, 27 June 2025 INJ
MF Kiko Seike (清家 貴子) (1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 28 7 Brighton & Hove Albion v.  Brazil, 2 June 2025
MF Riko Ueki (植木 理子) (1999-07-30) 30 July 1999 43 12 West Ham United v.  Brazil, 2 June 2025
MF Miharu Shinjo (眞城 美春) (2007-02-05) 5 February 2007 0 0 Tokyo Verdy Beleza v.  Colombia, 8 April 2025
MF Honoka Hayashi (林 穂之香) (1998-05-19) 19 May 1998 38 2 Everton 2025 SheBelieves Cup
Notes
  • ALT: Alternate
  • INJ: Withdrew due to injury

Previous squads

Bold indicates winning squads

Captains

Bold indicates current captain

Records

*Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.

As of 21 February 2025

Most capped players

# Player Year(s) Caps Goals Ref.
1 Homare Sawa 1993–2015 205 83 [40]
2 Aya Miyama 2003–2016 162 38 [41]
3 Saki Kumagai 2008–present 158 3 [42]
4 Shinobu Ohno 2003–2016 139 40 [43]
5 Yuki Nagasato 2004–2016 132 58 [44]
6 Kozue Ando 1999–2015 126 19 [45]
7 Mizuho Sakaguchi 2006–2019 124 29 [46]
8 Azusa Iwashimizu 2006–2016 122 11 [47]
9 Hiromi Ikeda 1997–2008 119 4
10 Tomoe Kato 1997–2008 114 8

Top goalscorers

# Player Year(s) Goals Caps Ref.
1 Homare Sawa 1993–2015 83 205 [40]
2 Yuki Nagasato 2004–2016 58 132 [44]
3 Kaori Nagamine 1984–1996 48 64
4 Mina Tanaka 2013–present 41 87 [48]
5 Shinobu Ohno 2003–2016 40 139 [43]
6 Aya Miyama 2003–2016 38 162 [41]
7 Mana Iwabuchi 2010–2023 36 89 [49]
8 Mio Otani 2000–2007 31 73
9 Futaba Kioka 1981–1996 30 75
10 Mizuho Sakaguchi 2006–2019 29 124 [46]
Asako Takakura 1984–1999 29 79

Honours

Intercontinental

Champions: 2011
Runners-up: 2015
Runners-up: 2012

Continental

Champions: 2014, 2018
Runners-up: 1986, 1991, 1995, 2001
Champions: 2010, 2018, 2022
Runners-up: 1990, 1994, 2006, 2014

Regional

Champions: 2008, 2010, 2019, 2022
Runners-up: 2013, 2017

Other tournaments

Runners-up: 2012, 2014
Champions: 2025[50]
Runners-up: 2023

Competitive record

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD Squad Coach
1991 Group stage 3 0 0 3 0 12 −12 Squad Tamotsu Suzuki
1995 Quarter-finals 4 1 0 3 2 8 −6 Squad
1999 Group stage 3 0 1 2 1 10 −9 Squad Satoshi Miyauchi
2003 3 1 0 2 7 6 +1 Squad Eiji Ueda
2007 3 1 1 1 3 4 −1 Squad Hiroshi Ohashi
2011 Champions 6 4 1 1 12 6 +6 Squad Norio Sasaki
2015 Runners-up 7 6 0 1 11 8 +3 Squad
2019 Round of 16 4 1 1 2 3 5 −2 Squad Asako Takakura
2023 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 15 3 +12 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
2027 To be determined
2031 To be determined
2035 To be determined
Total 9/10 38 18 4 16 54 62 −8
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
FIFA Women's World Cup history
Year Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
1991 Group stage 17 November  Brazil L 0–1 New Plaza Stadium, Foshan
19 November  Sweden L 0–8
21 November  United States L 0–3
1995 Group stage 5 June  Germany L 0–1 Tingvallen, Karlstad
7 June  Brazil W 2–1
9 June  Sweden L 0–2 Arosvallen, Västerås
Quarter-finals 13 June  United States L 0–4 Strömvallen, Gävle
1999 Group stage 19 June  Canada D 1–1 Spartan Stadium, San Jose
23 June  Russia L 0–5 Civic Stadium, Portland
26 June  Norway L 0–4 Soldier Field, Chicago
2003 Group stage 20 September  Argentina W 6–0 Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus
24 September  Germany L 0–3
27 September  Canada L 1–3 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
2007 Group stage 11 September  England D 2–2 Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai
14 September  Argentina W 1–0
17 September  Germany L 0–2 Yellow Dragon Sports Center, Hangzhou
2011 Group stage 27 June  New Zealand W 2–1 Ruhrstadion, Bochum
1 July  Mexico W 4–0 BayArena, Leverkusen
5 July  England L 0–2 Impuls Arena, Augsburg
Quarter-finals 9 July  Germany W 1–0 Volkswagen-Arena, Wolfsburg
Semi-finals 13 July  Sweden W 3–1 Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt
Final 17 July  United States D 2–2 (3–1 p)
2015 Group stage 8 June  Switzerland W 1–0 BC Place, Vancouver
12 June  Cameroon W 2–1
16 June  Ecuador W 1–0 Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg
Round of 16 23 June  Netherlands W 2–1 BC Place, Vancouver
Quarter-finals 27 June  Australia W 1–0 Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
Semi-finals 1 July  England W 2–1
Final 5 July  United States L 2–5 BC Place, Vancouver
2019 Group stage 10 June  Argentina D 0–0 Parc des Princes, Paris
14 June  Scotland W 2–1 Roazhon Park, Rennes
19 June  England L 0–2 Allianz Riviera, Nice
Round of 16 25 June  Netherlands L 1–2 Roazhon Park, Rennes
2023 Group stage 22 July  Zambia W 5–0 Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
26 July  Costa Rica W 2–0 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
31 July  Spain W 4–0 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Round of 16 5 August  Norway W 3–1
Quarter-finals 11 August  Sweden L 1–2 Eden Park, Auckland

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD Squad Coach
1996 Round 1 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 Squad Tamotsu Suzuki
2000 Did not qualify
2004 Quarter-finals 3 1 0 2 2 3 −1 Squad Eiji Ueda
2008 Fourth place 6 2 1 3 11 10 +1 Squad Norio Sasaki
2012 Runners-up 6 3 2 1 7 4 +3 Squad
2016 Did not qualify
2020 Quarter-finals 4 1 1 2 3 5 −2 Squad Asako Takakura
2024 4 2 0 2 6 5 +1 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
Total 6/8 26 9 4 13 31 36 −5
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
Summer Olympics history
Year Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
1996 Group stage 21 July  Germany L 2–3 Legion Field, Birmingham
23 July  Brazil L 0–2
25 July  Norway L 0–4 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.
2004 Group stage 11 August  Sweden W 1–0 Panthessaliko Stadium, Volos
14 August  Nigeria L 0–1 Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens
Quarter-finals 20 August  United States L 1–2 Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Thessaloniki
2008 Group stage 6 August  New Zealand D 2–2 Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao
9 August  United States L 0–1
12 August  Norway W 5–1 Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai
Quarter-finals 15 August  China W 2–0 Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Qinhuangdao
Semi-finals 18 August  United States L 2–4 Workers Stadium, Beijing
Bronze medal 21 August  Germany L 0–2
2012 Group stage 25 July  Canada W 2–1 City of Coventry Stadium, Coventry
28 July  Sweden D 0–0
31 July  South Africa D 0–0 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Quarter-finals 3 August  Brazil W 2–0
Semi-finals 6 August  France W 2–1 Wembley Stadium, London
Gold medal 9 August  United States L 1–2
2020 Group stage 21 July  Canada D 1–1 Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
24 July  Great Britain L 0–1
27 July  Chile W 1–0 Miyagi Stadium, Rifu
Quarter-finals 30 July  Sweden L 1–3 Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama
2024 Group stage 25 July  Spain L 1–2 Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
28 July  Brazil W 2–1 Parc des Princes, Paris
31 July  Nigeria W 3–1 Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Quarter-finals 3 August  United States L 0–1 (a.e.t.) Parc des Princes, Paris

AFC Women's Asian Cup

AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualification
Hosts / Year Result M W D L GF GA GD Squad Coach M W D L GF GA GD
1975 Did not enter No Qualification
1977 Group Stage 2 0 0 2 0 8 −8 Squad
1980 Did not enter
1981 Group stage 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2 Squad
1983 Did not enter
1986 Runners-up 4 2 0 2 14 4 +10 Squad
1989 Third place 5 4 0 1 37 1 +36 Squad
1991 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 27 6 +21 Squad
1993 Third place 5 4 0 1 29 4 +25 Squad
1995 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 27 3 +24 Squad
1997 Third place 5 4 0 1 33 1 +32 Squad
1999 Fourth place 6 4 0 2 36 6 +30 Squad
2001 Runners-up 6 4 0 2 30 5 +25 Squad
2003 Fourth place 6 4 0 2 34 4 +30 Squad
2006 5 3 0 2 19 6 +13 Squad Directly Qualified
2008 Third place 5 3 0 2 19 7 +12 Squad
2010 5 4 0 1 16 2 +14 Squad Norio Sasaki
2014 Champions 5 4 1 0 16 3 +13 Squad
2018 5 3 2 0 9 2 +7 Squad Asako Takakura
2022 Semi-finals 5 3 2 0 18 3 +15 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
2026 Qualified
Total 17/20 83 55 6 22 365 68 +297 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Asian Games

Asian Games record
Host Result M W D L GF GA GD Squad Coach
1990 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 17 8 +9 Squad Tamotsu Suzuki
1994 4 2 1 1 9 3 +6 Squad
1998 Third place 5 3 0 2 18 7 +11 Squad Satoshi Miyauchi
2002 5 3 1 1 8 3 +5 Squad Eiji Ueda
2006 Runners-up 5 4 1 0 21 1 +20 Squad Hiroshi Ohashi
2010 Champions 4 3 1 0 6 0 +6 Squad Norio Sasaki
2014 Runners-up 6 4 1 1 28 3 +25 Squad
2018 Champions 5 5 0 0 14 2 +12 Squad Asako Takakura
2022 6 6 0 0 39 5 +34 Squad Michihisa Kano
2026
2030
Total 7/7 34 22 6 6 107 25 +82
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
  • The 2022 edition was rescheduled to September–October 2023; as a result, Japan will send a B team with a separate coaching staff while the senior team competes in its regularly scheduled matches in the September 2023 FIFA international window.[51]

EAFF E-1 Football Championship

EAFF E-1 Football Championship record
Host Result M W D L GF GA GD Squad Coach
2005 Third place 3 0 2 1 0 1 −1 Squad
2008 Champions 3 3 0 0 8 2 +6 Squad
2010 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 Squad
2013 Runners-up 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 Squad
2015 Third place 3 1 0 2 5 6 −1 Squad Norio Sasaki
2017 Runners-up 3 2 0 1 4 4 0 Squad Asako Takakura
2019 Champions 3 3 0 0 13 0 +13 Squad
2022 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
2025 Qualified Squad
Total 8/8 24 15 4 5 46 18 +28
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
EAFF E-1 Football Championship history
Year Round Opponent Score Result
2005 First match  North Korea 0–1 Loss
Second match  China 0–0 Draw
Third match  South Korea 0–0 Draw
2008 First match  North Korea 3–2 Win
Second match  South Korea 2–0 Win
Third match  South Korea 3–0 Win
2010 First match  China 2–0 Win
Second match  Chinese Taipei 3–0 Win
Third match  South Korea 2–1 Win
2013 First match  China 2–0 Win
Second match  North Korea 0–0 Draw
Third match  South Korea 1–2 Loss
2015 First match  North Korea 2–4 Loss
Second match  South Korea 1–2 Loss
Third match  China 2–0 Win
2017 First match  South Korea 3–2 Win
Second match  China 1–0 Win
Third match  North Korea 0–2 Loss
2019 First match  Chinese Taipei 7–0 Win
Second match  China 3–0 Win
Third match  South Korea 1–0 Win
2022 First match  South Korea 2–1 Win
Second match  Chinese Taipei 4–1 Win
Third match  China 0–0 Draw
2025 First match  Chinese Taipei
Second match  South Korea
Third match  China

Algarve Cup

The Algarve Cup is an invitational tournament for national teams in women's association football hosted by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). Held annually in the Algarve region of Portugal since 1994, it is one of the most prestigious and longest-running women's international football events and has been nicknamed the "Mini FIFA Women's World Cup."[52]

Algarve Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA GD Squad Coach
19942010 Did not enter
2011 3rd place 4 3 0 1 9 3 +6 Squad
2012 2nd place 4 3 0 1 8 5 +3 Squad Norio Sasaki
2013 5th place 4 2 0 2 4 4 0 Squad
2014 2nd place 4 2 1 1 4 5 −1 Squad
2015 9th place 4 2 0 2 7 5 +2 Squad
2016 Did not enter
2017 6th place 4 2 0 2 7 5 +2 Squad Asako Takakura
2018 6th place 4 2 0 2 6 9 −3 Squad
2019–2023 Did not enter
Total 7/27 28 16 1 11 45 36 +9

Cyprus Women's Cup

Cyprus Women's Cup record
Year Result GP W D L GF GA GD Squad Coach
2008 3rd place 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 Squad
Total 1/13 3 1 1 1 5 5 0

SheBelieves Cup

The SheBelieves Cup is a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football hosted in the United States.

SheBelieves Cup record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Squad Coach
20162018 Did not enter
2019 Third place 3 1 1 1 5 6 Squad Asako Takakura
2020 Fourth place 3 0 0 3 2 7 Squad
2021 Withdrew due to the COVID-19 pandemic[53]
2022 Did not enter
2023 Runners-up 3 1 0 2 3 2 Squad Futoshi Ikeda
2024 Fourth place 2 0 1 1 2 3 Squad
2025 Champions 3 3 0 0 10 2 Squad Nils Nielsen
Total 5/10 14 5 2 7 22 20
SheBelieves Cup history
Year Round Opponent Score Result
2019 First match  United States 2–2 Draw
Second match  Brazil 3–1 Win
Third match  England 0–3 Loss
2020 First match  Spain 1–3 Loss
Second match  England 0–1 Loss
Third match  United States 1–3 Loss
2023 First match  Brazil 0–1 Loss
Second match  United States 0–1 Loss
Third match  Canada 3–0 Win
2024 First match  United States 1–2 Loss
Second match  Brazil 2–2 (0–3 (p)) Draw
2025 First match  Australia 4–0 Win
Second match  Colombia 4–1 Win
Third match  United States 2–1 Win

Tournament of Nations

The Tournament of Nations was a global invitational tournament for national teams in women's soccer in non-World Cup and non-Olympic years hosted by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) in several American cities.[54] The inaugural tournament was held in 2017.

The 2021 edition would have been a pre-Olympics tournament due to the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics.[55] On May 6, 2021, however, the USSF announced that it would no longer hold Tournament of Nations because recent changes in international windows by FIFA made a round-robin tournament unfeasible.[56]

Tournament of Nations record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA Squad Coach
2017 Third place 3 0 1 2 3 8 Squad Asako Takakura
2018 Fourth place 3 0 0 3 3 8 Squad
Total 2/2 6 0 1 5 6 16

See also

National teams
Men's
Women's

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