Japanese footballer; Crystal Palace midfielder; Japan international
Germany has secured knockout-stage qualification after a 2-1 comeback win over Ivory Coast in Group E, with Deniz Undav scoring twice. Ivory Coast led early through Franck Kessie, but Germany fought back with late chances and solid defending. The result leaves Germany on six points, Ivory Coast on three, and Ecuador vs Curacao to play.
Japan’s World Cup campaign is evolving: Endo has withdrawn due to injury and announced retirement; Kamada has shifted to a defensive midfield role under Oliver Glasner, with captaincy moving to Ko Itakura. Japan opens Group F against the Netherlands amid coaching and lineup changes.
Japan has defeated Tunisia 4-0 in Monterrey, moving to four points at the top of Group F alongside the Netherlands. Ayase Ueda scored twice, with Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito also on target. Tunisia’s campaign ends with a heavy defeat after an earlier loss to Sweden.