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. Akiyama

Japan

Japan25 yrs

Age

176 cm

Height

70 kg

Weight

Midfield

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

Career clubs

Albirex Niigata

2021–2025

120 apps⚽ 4

SV Darmstadt 98

2025

32 apps⚽ 4

Kagoshima United

2021

9 apps⚽ 1

Career transfers

Albirex Niigata SV Darmstadt 98
16 Jul 2025Loan
Kagoshima United Albirex Niigata
1 Jan 2022
Albirex Niigata Kagoshima United
14 Aug 2021Loan
Azul Claro Numazu Albirex Niigata
28 Oct 2020
Albirex Niigata Azul Claro Numazu
15 Sept 2020Loan

Honours

J2 League

Winner

Japan · 1× (2022)

J-League Cup

Runner-up

Japan · 1× (2024)

Injury record

Injury

May 2025

Red Card

Feb 2025

Competitions

J1 League· Japan

2. Bundesliga· Germany

Recent form

vs SC Paderborn 07

2. Bundesliga · 0–2

90'7.2

@ Preußen Münster

2. Bundesliga · 1–1

90'7.2

@ Karlsruher SC

2. Bundesliga · 1–2

90'6.3

vs SV Elversberg

2. Bundesliga · 3–3

🅰 190'7.3

@ SpVgg Greuther Fürth

2. Bundesliga · 2–3

90'6.9

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	SV Darmstadt 98	48	4	1	6.85
2024	Albirex Niigata	47	2	2	7.27
2023	Albirex Niigata	35	1	1	6.71
2022	Albirex Niigata	21	1	0	—
2021	Kagoshima United	10	1	0	—

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

102

Fouls

← All World Cup stars