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.

N. Arai

Japan

Japan29 yrs

Age

173 cm

Height

73 kg

Weight

Defence — left

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

Career clubs

Sanfrecce Hiroshima

2023–2025

96 apps⚽ 8

Albirex Niigata

2023–2024

6 apps⚽ 1

Cerezo Osaka

2021–2023

7 apps

Tokushima Vortis

2022

42 apps⚽ 2

Career transfers

Albirex Niigata Sanfrecce Hiroshima
21 Mar 2024
Cerezo Osaka Albirex Niigata
9 Jan 2023
Tokushima Vortis Cerezo Osaka
1 Jan 2023
Cerezo Osaka Tokushima Vortis
7 Jan 2022Loan
Albirex Niigata Cerezo Osaka
9 Jan 2021

Honours

Super Cup

Winner

Japan · 1× (2025)

J1 League

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2024)

J-League Cup

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2021)

Competitions

J1 League· Japan

J2/J3 League· Japan

Super Cup· Japan

AFC Champions League Elite· World

Emperor Cup· Japan

J-League Cup· Japan

AFC Champions League Two· World

Friendlies Clubs· World

Recent form

vs Nagoya Grampus

J1 League

90'7.2

@ Kyoto Sanga

J1 League · 4–0

65'6.2

@ Gamba Osaka

J1 League · 1–0

75'7.0

@ Fagiano Okayama

J1 League · 0–1

45'6.3

@ Avispa Fukuoka

J1 League · 2–2

90'6.3

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	63	6	3	6.92
2024	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	8	1	2	7.24
2023	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	31	2	0	6.86
2022	Tokushima Vortis	42	2	0	—
2021	Cerezo Osaka	7	0	0	6.66

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls

← All World Cup stars