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.

H. Arai

Japan

Japan27 yrs

Age

170 cm cm

Height

69 kg kg

Weight

Midfield

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

Career clubs

Sagan Tosu

2025

14 apps⚽ 1

Mito Hollyhock

2024

36 apps⚽ 1

Cerezo Osaka

2021–2024

20 apps

TIAMO Hirakata

2023

0 apps

Sibenik

2022

40 apps⚽ 3

Career transfers

Sagan Tosu Kyoto Sanga
11 Jan 2026
Mito Hollyhock Sagan Tosu
20 Jan 2025Transfer
TIAMO Hirakata Mito Hollyhock
22 Jan 2024
Cerezo Osaka TIAMO Hirakata
1 Jan 2024
TIAMO Hirakata Cerezo Osaka
7 Jul 2023Loan
Sibenik TIAMO Hirakata
1 Jul 2023
TIAMO Hirakata Sibenik
20 Jun 2022Loan
Cerezo Osaka TIAMO Hirakata
19 Jun 2022

Competitions

Friendlies Clubs· World

AFC Champions League Elite· World

Japan Football League· Japan

Recent form

vs V-varen Nagasaki

J1 League

89'6.2

vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

J1 League · 0–4

38'6.3

@ Vissel Kobe

J1 League · 0–1

84'6.2

@ Nagoya Grampus

J1 League · 0–3

@ Avispa Fukuoka

J1 League · 1–1

67'7.2

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Rating
2025	Sagan Tosu	14	1	—
2024	Mito Hollyhock	36	1	—
2023	Cerezo Osaka	10	0	6.54
2022	Sibenik	46	3	6.72
2021	Cerezo Osaka	4	0	6.90

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls

← All World Cup stars