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.

Y. Sato

Japan

Japan27 yrs

Age

183 cm

Height

77 kg

Weight

Defence

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

Career clubs

Nagoya Grampus

2023–2025

44 apps⚽ 5

Urawa

2024

21 apps

Gamba Osaka

2021–2023

26 apps⚽ 1

Vegalta Sendai

2022

15 apps

Career transfers

Urawa Nagoya Grampus
20 Jan 2025Transfer
Gamba Osaka Urawa
22 Jan 2024
Vegalta Sendai Gamba Osaka
20 Dec 2022
Gamba Osaka Vegalta Sendai
7 Jul 2022Loan

Honours

Super Cup

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2021)

Emperor Cup

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2020/2021)

Competitions

AFC Champions League Elite· World

Friendlies Clubs· World

Recent form

@ Machida Zelvia

J1 League · 1–2

89'7.3

@ Sanfrecce Hiroshima

J1 League

@ Cerezo Osaka

J1 League · 1–6

30'6.2

@ V-varen Nagasaki

J1 League · 2–1

11'6.6

vs Vissel Kobe

J1 League · 0–3

62'6.3

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Nagoya Grampus	29	5	0	7.16
2024	Urawa	21	0	1	6.88
2023	Nagoya Grampus	19	0	1	6.78
2022	Vegalta Sendai	23	1	0	6.90
2021	Gamba Osaka	14	0	1	6.85

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls

← All World Cup stars