Hajime Moriyasu to depart as Japan national football team manager

Hajime Moriyasu will leave his position as the manager of the Japan national football team during the week of November 15, 2026. The Japan Football Association announced the departure of the manager on Friday, November 14, 2026. This transition follows the decision to postpone the Asian Cup from early 2027 to December 2027 because of instability in the Middle East.

Moriyasu tenure and records

Hajime Moriyasu has served as the manager of the Japan national football team since August 2018. During his time leading the team, Hajime Moriyasu became the longest-serving manager in the history of Japanese football. Under his leadership, the team achieved a 17th place ranking on the FIFA world rankings.

The manager will oversee his final matches against Brazil on November 14 and Paraguay on November 17. Hajime Moriyasu managed a total of 112 matches during his tenure. His record includes 77 wins, 17 draws, and 18 losses. The departure of the manager comes at a time of significant scheduling changes for the national team due to the shift in the Asian Cup timeline.

Leadership transition and succession

The Japan Football Association has identified a successor to take over the management of the national team. Go Oiwa, who currently serves as the Japan U-23 coach, is set to succeed Hajime Moriyasu. This leadership change ensures continuity within the national team structure as the program prepares for upcoming international competitions.

Cunejasu Mijamoto, the President of the Japan Football Association, addressed the recent changes to the international schedule. Cunejasu Mijamoto said the Japan Football Association cancelled a friendly match in Osaka due to the Asian Cup postponement and national team scheduling. The rescheduling of the tournament from its original January 2027 date to December 2027 has impacted the strategic planning for the national squad.

Asian Cup postponement details

The restructuring of the international football calendar is a primary factor in the recent scheduling shifts. The Asian Cup was originally scheduled to take place in early 2027. However, due to instability in the Middle East, the tournament has been postponed until December 2027. This delay has necessitated adjustments to the training and friendly match schedules for the Japan national football team.

As the manager departs, the Japan Football Association continues to manage the complexities of international tournament scheduling. The transition from Hajime Moriyasu to Go Oiwa marks a significant era in Japanese football history, ending the longest managerial tenure recorded by the association. The team will now focus on preparing for the rescheduled Asian Cup and other international fixtures under the new leadership.

Glossary

• Asian Cup — The Asian Cup is an international football tournament. Japan has won the title four times and has appeared in the tournament since 1988.
• Japan Football Association — The Japan Football Association (JFA) is the governing body responsible for the administration of football, futsal, beach soccer, and efootball in Japan. It is responsible for the national team as well as club competitions.