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. Takahashi

Japan

Japan32 yrs

Age

187 cm

Height

80 kg

Weight

Defence — centre

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

Career clubs

Shimizu S-pulse

2023–2025

69 apps

Kashiwa Reysol

2021–2024

48 apps⚽ 2

Career transfers

Kashiwa Reysol Shimizu S-pulse
9 Jan 2023
Sagan Tosu Kashiwa Reysol
4 Jan 2020Free transfer
Kyoto Sanga Sagan Tosu
1 Jan 2018Free transfer
Kamatamare Sanuki Kyoto Sanga
9 Jan 2016
Kyoto Sanga Kamatamare Sanuki
1 Jan 2015
Brisbane Roar Kyoto Sanga
9 Jan 2013
Kyoto Sanga Brisbane Roar
31 Aug 2012Loan

Honours

J2 League

Winner

Japan · 1× (2024)

J-League Cup

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2020/2021)

Lunar New Year Cup

Runner-up

World · 1× (2019)

Emperor Cup

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2011/2012)

Injury record

Concussion

May 2025

4 recorded match-day injury flags in the corpus.

Competitions

Recent form

@ Nagoya Grampus

J1 League · 1–1

42'6.9

vs Gamba Osaka

J1 League · 0–0

90'7.6

@ Cerezo Osaka

J1 League · 2–4

90'7.0

vs Vissel Kobe

J1 League · 3–2

90'6.9

@ Kashiwa Reysol

J1 League · 0–1

89'7.3

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Rating
2025	Shimizu S-pulse	16	0	6.92
2024	Shimizu S-pulse	31	0	—
2023	Shimizu S-pulse	22	0	6.93
2022	Kashiwa Reysol	32	2	6.85
2021	Kashiwa Reysol	16	0	6.82

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

117

Fouls

← All World Cup stars