When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, with the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Where is the 2026 World Cup Final?

The Final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York metro area) on July 19, 2026.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?

48 teams will compete in the 2026 World Cup — the first time the tournament has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

How many host cities are there?

16 host cities across 3 countries: 11 in the USA, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada.

How many matches will be played?

104 matches will be played over 39 days, from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

S. Sasaki

Japan

Japan36 yrs

Age

177 cm

Height

70 kg

Weight

Defence

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

International career

Caps

Intl goals

Intl assists

Career clubs

Sanfrecce Hiroshima

2021–2025

241 apps⚽ 15

Japan

2021–2022

4 apps⚽ 1

Career transfers

Ventforet Kofu Sanfrecce Hiroshima
1 Jan 2015

Honours

Super Cup

Winner

Japan · 2× (2025, 2016)

J1 League

Winner

Japan · 3× (2024, 2018, 2015)

J-League Cup

Winner

Japan · 1× (2022)

EAFF E-1 Football Championship

Winner

Asia · 2× (2022, 2018/2019)

J2 League

Winner

Japan · 1× (2012)

Emperor Cup

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2022)

AFC Asian Cup

Runner-up

Asia · 1× (2019)

Competitions

AFC Champions League Elite· World

World Cup - Qualification Asia· World

AFC Champions League Two· World

Friendlies· World

Recent form

vs Nagoya Grampus

J1 League

90'6.9

@ Kyoto Sanga

J1 League · 4–0

90'7.7

@ Gamba Osaka

J1 League · 1–0

90'6.9

vs Vissel Kobe

J1 League · 1–1

90'7.2

@ Fagiano Okayama

J1 League · 0–1

27'6.6

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	73	1	0	7.25
2024	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	46	5	2	7.20
2023	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	38	3	0	7.21
2022	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	54	5	2	7.16
2021	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	34	2	0	7.03

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

326

Fouls

← All World Cup stars