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. Kurata

Japan

Japan37 yrs

Age

172 cm

Height

68 kg

Weight

Midfield

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

International career

Caps

Intl goals

Intl assists

Career clubs

Gamba Osaka

2021–2025

154 apps⚽ 9

Honours

Emperor Cup

Winner

Japan · 5× (2024, 2020/2021, 2015/2016, 2014…)

Super Cup

Winner

Japan · 3× (2021, 2016, 2015)

J1 League

Winner

Japan · 3× (2020, 2015, 2014)

J-League Cup

Winner

Japan · 3× (2016, 2015, 2014)

J2 League

Winner

Japan · 1× (2013)

EAFF E-1 Football Championship

Runner-up

Asia · 1× (2016/2017)

Competitions

J1 League· Japan

J-League Cup· Japan

Emperor Cup· Japan

AFC Champions League Elite· World

AFC Champions League Two· World

Friendlies Clubs· World

Recent form

vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

J1 League · 0–1

11'6.6

vs Vissel Kobe

J1 League · 5–0

@ Kyoto Sanga

J1 League · 1–1

vs Avispa Fukuoka

J1 League · 1–2

9'6.5

vs Fagiano Okayama

J1 League · 2–2

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Gamba Osaka	31	4	0	6.78
2024	Gamba Osaka	30	1	1	6.59
2023	Gamba Osaka	21	1	1	6.76
2022	Gamba Osaka	24	0	0	6.79
2021	Gamba Osaka	48	3	3	6.72

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

314

Fouls

← All World Cup stars