TOKYO: Hajime Moriyasu will continue as Japan’s head coach until next year’s Asian Cup before Under-21 manager Go Oiwa takes charge, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said on Thursday.

Moriyasu, who has been the country’s head coach since 2018, led Japan to the round-of-32 at the World Cup last month, when they were eliminated after a 2-1 stoppage-time loss to Brazil.

Oiwa will take over from Moriyasu as the senior team coach after the continental championship ends in February, the JFA said in a statement.

“Oiwa... will take over as manager of Samurai Blue as they aim for the 2030 FIFA World Cup,” the statement added.

A former Japan international, 54-year-old Oiwa will also continue as the country’s U-21 coach as they continue preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the JFA said.

Moriyasu led Japan to the Asian Cup final in 2019, where they lost to Qatar. At the 2023 edition, the four-time champions were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Iran.

Japan will begin their Asian Cup Group ‘F’ campaign against Indonesia on January 11.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2026