Japan’s manager at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was Hajime Moriyasu.

Quick Scoop

  • Hajime Moriyasu was appointed as Japan’s national team coach in 2018 with the 2022 World Cup as a key target.
  • He led Japan to famous group-stage wins over Germany and Spain before going out to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16.
  • His work in Qatar was considered successful enough that the Japan Football Association extended his contract through 2026.

A Bit Of Background

  • Moriyasu is a former midfielder who earned 35 caps for Japan as a player, spending most of his club career at Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
  • Before taking over the senior national team, he won multiple J.League titles as a manager with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and also coached Japan’s Olympic (U-23) side.

Why His 2022 Run Stood Out

  • At the 2022 World Cup, Japan’s comeback victories over Germany and Spain were hailed as some of the tournament’s biggest shocks, showcasing Moriyasu’s tactical flexibility and squad rotation.
  • Despite the exit to Croatia, many observers praised how Japan competed with world champions and how Moriyasu’s team embodied high work rate, pressing, and resilience.

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