Japan already know who comes next. The JFA confirmed Thursday that Go Oiwa, currently in charge of the Under-21 side, will succeed Hajime Moriyasu as Samurai Blue head coach once the Asian Cup wraps up in February.
Moriyasu has been in the role since 2018 — a tenure that included a 2019 Asian Cup final defeat to Qatar, a round-of-32 exit at last year's World Cup after a 2-1 stoppage-time loss to Brazil, and a quarter-final elimination by Iran at the 2023 Asian Cup. He's overseen genuine progress in Japanese football, but the ceiling of that project is starting to show.
What Oiwa is walking into
The 54-year-old former Japan international takes over a side in transition. The mandate is clear: the 2030 World Cup. Oiwa will also keep his U-21 role as Japan build toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which is either smart continuity planning or a lot of plates to spin at once.
Japan open their Asian Cup Group F campaign against Indonesia on January 11. Moriyasu gets one last shot at continental silverware before the handover — and given his recent tournament record, he'll need a strong run to leave on a high note rather than a quiet exit.
For anyone tracking Asian football markets, the coaching transition adds a layer of uncertainty to Japan's 2030 World Cup odds. Oiwa has done credible work at youth level, but senior international management is a different animal entirely. The JFA are betting on continuity of philosophy over proven results at the top level. Whether that pays off won't be clear for years.
Japan are four-time Asian Cup champions. They haven't won it since 2011.
