The Japanese national team is seeking to untangle the knot of round 16 of the World Cup as the Samurai Blue attempts to qualified for the World Cup for quarter-final the first time ever.

Japan failed to pass the round 16 during the three times in which featured in the 2002, 2010 and 2018 editions.

The Japanese samurai was defeated in the round 16 during the 2002 edition by Turkey 1-0 and beaten by Paraguay in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on penalties kicks. Never before had the Samurai Blue beaten a former World Cup champion at the tournament, but Japan then took down four-time winners Germany and beat 2010 champs Spain in the space of eight days.

In the previous version in Russia 2018, Japan was ahead of Belgium 2-0, before the Samurai conceded three consecutive goals during the second half, as the decisive third goal came in the 94th minute of the match.