Japan Football Association appoints Takeshi Onishi as senior national team manager
Current coach Hajime Moriyasu remains in charge until January and February next year, while Onishi prepares to take over following the tournament.
The Japan Football Association has confirmed the appointment of Takeshi Onishi as the new manager of the senior Japan national football team. The decision, announced on 23 July 2026, marks a leadership change following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Spain won. Onishi, who currently leads the under-23 national team, will assume the role after a transitional period designed to maintain stability during the upcoming Asian Cup.
Onishi is currently the manager of the Japan under-23 national team, with a primary objective of qualifying for and competing in the Los Angeles Olympics. His appointment to the senior side follows a period where current manager Hajime Moriyasu continued in his role for approximately six months. This interim extension was implemented to ensure continuity as the team navigated the post-World Cup cycle.
Moriyasu will remain in charge until the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to take place in January and February next year. The Japan Football Association has structured the transition to allow Moriyasu to oversee the team through this major regional tournament before Onishi officially takes the helm. This approach minimises disruption to the squad’s preparation and performance standards during a critical competitive window.
The leadership change occurs against a backdrop of improved international standing for the Japanese side. Following the World Cup, Japan’s FIFA world ranking has risen to 17th place, an improvement from pre-tournament levels. The association’s decision to promote from within, selecting a coach with experience in youth development and Olympic qualification, signals a strategic focus on long-term structural development.
Onishi’s move to the senior team creates a vacancy in the under-23 squad, which is targeting the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The Japan Football Association has not yet announced a replacement for the youth side, but the promotion of Onishi represents a significant shift in the national team’s management structure as it looks to build on its recent World Cup participation and ranking gains.
