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.

M. Nakajima

Japan

Japan26 yrs

Age

170 cm

Height

66 kg

Weight

Forward

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

Career clubs

Vegalta Sendai

2022–2025

108 apps⚽ 25

Cerezo Osaka

2021–2025

62 apps⚽ 7

Career transfers

Vegalta Sendai Cerezo Osaka
1 Feb 2025Return from loan
Vegalta Sendai Cerezo Osaka
30 Jan 2025Return from loan
Cerezo Osaka Vegalta Sendai
6 Apr 2022Loan
Albirex Niigata Cerezo Osaka
1 Jan 2021
Cerezo Osaka Albirex Niigata
20 Jul 2020Loan

Honours

J-League Cup

Winner

Japan · 2× (2021, 2017)

Super Cup

Winner

Japan · 1× (2018)

Emperor Cup

Winner

Japan · 1× (2017/2018)

Competitions

AFC Champions League Elite· World

Recent form

@ FC Tokyo

J1 League · 3–1

79'6.3

@ Fagiano Okayama

J1 League · 3–2

🅰 180'6.9

vs Nagoya Grampus

J1 League · 6–1

🅰 182'6.3

vs V-varen Nagasaki

J1 League · 3–2

🅰 185'6.3

@ Shimizu S-pulse

J1 League · 1–1

14'7.2

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Cerezo Osaka	39	5	2	6.92
2024	Vegalta Sendai	40	15	0	—
2023	Vegalta Sendai	34	6	0	—
2022	Vegalta Sendai	35	4	0	—
2021	Cerezo Osaka	22	2	0	6.65

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls

← All World Cup stars