Japan Names Oiwa as Next National Soccer Coach After 2027 Asian Cup

By Huzaifa Zahoor

July 24, 2026

02:21 AM

3 min read

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Key Points

Moriyasu stays through January 2027 Asian Cup, then Oiwa takes over in March 2026.

Oiwa currently coaches Japan's U-21 team and will lead through 2030 World Cup.

JFA board faced disagreement but voted to approve the succession plan July 23.

Plan balances Asian Cup continuity with World Cup preparation under new leadership.

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Japan’s Football Association announced on July 23 that coach Hajime Moriyasu will remain in charge through the 2027 Asian Cup in January, then hand over to Tsuyoshi Oiwa, the current U-21 national team coach. The decision follows Japan’s disappointing finish at the 2026 World Cup. Oiwa will take the helm in March 2026 and lead the team through the 2030 World Cup cycle.

Moriyasu stays through Asian Cup, then steps down

The Japan Football Association held a board meeting on July 23 and voted to extend Moriyasu’s contract. He will continue as head coach through the 2027 Asian Cup in January. After that tournament, Oiwa will take over as senior team coach starting in March 2026. The succession plan was finalized despite disagreement among board members. JFA executive director Yukawa noted the board had “quite varied opinions” on the decision.

Oiwa’s background and coaching record

Tsuyoshi Oiwa currently coaches Japan’s U-21 national team. He is known for his tactical approach and experience developing young players. South Korean media praised Oiwa’s appointment, calling him a “great coach” and noting his analytical approach to World Cup strategy. His promotion marks a transition to new leadership after Moriyasu’s tenure.

Why the change matters for Japan’s World Cup plans

Japan finished disappointingly at the 2026 World Cup, prompting the federation to plan for renewal. The two-coach system allows Moriyasu to complete the Asian Cup cycle while Oiwa prepares to lead Japan toward the 2030 World Cup in Uruguay and Argentina. This structure gives the federation continuity while signaling a fresh direction for the next tournament cycle.

Final Thoughts

Japan’s Football Association chose stability over immediate change, keeping Moriyasu through January’s Asian Cup before transitioning to Oiwa in March. The dual-coach plan balances tournament commitments with long-term World Cup preparation.

FAQs

When does Tsuyoshi Oiwa become Japan’s national soccer coach?

Oiwa takes over in March 2026, after the January 2027 Asian Cup ends. He will lead Japan through the 2030 World Cup.

Why is Hajime Moriyasu staying if Japan had a disappointing World Cup?

The federation kept Moriyasu to complete the Asian Cup cycle in January 2027, then planned the transition to Oiwa to avoid disruption mid-tournament.

What is Tsuyoshi Oiwa’s current role?

Oiwa is the coach of Japan’s U-21 national team. He is promoted to lead the senior team after the 2027 Asian Cup.

Did the JFA board agree unanimously on this plan?

No. JFA executive director Yukawa said the board had “quite varied opinions” on the succession decision made July 23.

Disclaimer:
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About Author

Huzaifa Zahoor

Co Founder

Huzaifa Zahoor is the engineer who built Meyka. He has spent years writing Python, training AI models, and building data pipelines specifically for financial markets. His technical articles have reached over 30,000 readers on Medium, so he knows how to make complex things easy to follow. If this article touches on how the tools work, he is the person who actually built them.