We are pleased to announce that Yuto NAGATOMO, a member of our club, has been selected for the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan national team) squad participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will be held in Mexico, Canada, and the United States in June and July 2026, as announced by the Japan Football Association (JFA).

□ Position: DF
□ Date of Birth: September 12, 1986
□ Place of Birth: Ehime Prefecture
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“This is my fifth selection, but I have never been this nervous before.
It may sound cliché, but I truly feel a deep sense of gratitude for being selected. This goes for my family, my teammates and staff at FC Tokyo, as well as the voices of the fans and supporters. Honestly, without everyone’s support, I wouldn’t have made it this far. I can only feel gratitude. I really want to say ‘thank you’ to everyone.

To all FC Tokyo fans and supporters, I have been selected as a member of the Japan national team to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026™. It has been about five years since I returned to FC Tokyo in the 2021 season, and although there have been many challenges and hardships, I have truly been able to come this far supported by all of your voices and encouragement.

This fifth World Cup is a very big dream and goal for me, but I believe that if it weren’t for all of you and if it weren’t for FC Tokyo, I would not have been selected. I am filled with gratitude. Thank you very much.

And tomorrow’s match against the Urawa Reds will be a very important game for the team. There is still a chance to win the championship, so we absolutely want to win together and go to the World Cup. Let’s do our best!

Group Stage MD1

June 15 (Mon) 5:00 a.m. Kickoff *Japan Time
vs Netherlands national team
Dallas Stadium (USA)
Streaming/Broadcast: DAZN/NHK General

Group Stage MD2

Jun 21 (Sun) 1:00 p.m. kickoff *Japan time
vs Tunisia national team
Estadio Monterrey (Mexico)
Streaming/Broadcast: DAZN/Nippon TV/NHK BS

Group Stage MD3

Jun 26 (Fri) 8:00 a.m. kickoff *Japan time
vs Sweden national team
Dallas Stadium (USA)
Broadcast: DAZN/NHK General

* Please check the JFA website for details.
【URL】http://www.jfa.jp/