Japan players celebrate their AFC U-17 Asian Cup title in this file photo. PICS: AFC
DOHA: Japan coach Shingi Ono (pictured) is targeting the FIFA U-17 World Cup title in Qatar, saying his team are determined to challenge for global honours while gaining valuable experience for the future.
Japan, who won the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, will enter the tournament with high ambitions when the 48-team competition kicks off on November 19.
Speaking to FIFA ahead of the tournament, Ono said his squad had spent around 18 months preparing for the challenge and were eager to turn their hard work into results.
“First and foremost, we genuinely want to go out and win the title. The question is how the staff, and above all the players, can develop a genuine belief that this is achievable,” he said.
Ono, who was part of Japan’s coaching staff at last year’s U-17 World Cup, said the team had been working to combine their established strengths with greater attacking decisiveness.
He described the squad as well organised in both defence and attack, while highlighting the energy and collective commitment within the group.
Japan have also used their preparation period to face opponents from different footballing backgrounds, helping the players understand the challenges of competing against teams outside Asia.
Ono said he wanted his side to produce performances that justified their results rather than rely on luck, adding that greater boldness and decisiveness in front of goal would be important.
Drawn in Group L, Japan will open their campaign against South American champions Colombia on November 21 before facing Serbia three days later and Honduras on November 27.
Ono identified Colombia as the biggest challenge in the group, pointing to their physical strength, but said Japan would not underestimate either Serbia or Honduras.
“I certainly don’t see this as an easy group. Colombia are obviously going to be tough, and we definitely can’t take Serbia or Honduras for granted either,” he told FIFA.
He believes thorough preparation and performances at their expected level should give Japan a good opportunity to reach the knockout stage.
While winning the title remains the main ambition, Ono stressed that the development of his young players was equally important, noting that the tournament could play a significant role in preparing them for the next age group and eventually the senior national team.
His experience at last year’s edition also provided valuable lessons in tournament management, including team selection, preparation and handling the demands of a competition in which the eventual champions must win eight matches.
Japan will be among the teams competing in Qatar, which is hosting the U-17 World Cup for the second consecutive year. The tournament runs until December 13, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will advance to the Round of 32, starting on November 30.
The remaining matches will be played at the Competition Complex at Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan, while Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium will host the final on December 13. Qatar is set to stage five consecutive editions of the tournament through 2029, following its inaugural expanded 48-team edition last year.
