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.

K. Watanabe

Japan

Japan27 yrs

Age

166 cm

Height

66 kg

Weight

Midfield — left

Typical role

Japan

Nationality

Career clubs

Yokohama F. Marinos

2021–2025

223 apps⚽ 9

Japan

2022

0 apps

Career transfers

Tokyo Verdy Yokohama F. Marinos
8 Aug 2019

Honours

J1 League

Winner

Japan · 4× (2023, 2022, 2021, 2019)

Super Cup

Winner

Japan · 2× (2023, 2020)

J.League World Challenge

Runner-up

World · 2× (2025, 2023)

AFC Champions League Elite

Runner-up

Asia · 1× (2023/2024)

Asian Games

Runner-up

Asia · 1× (2018)

Competitions

J1 League· Japan

Super Cup· Japan

AFC Champions League Elite· World

J-League Cup· Japan

Emperor Cup· Japan

Friendlies Clubs· World

World Cup - Qualification Asia· World

Recent form

vs Shimizu S-pulse

J1 League · 3–0

89'7.0

@ Shimizu S-pulse

J1 League · 1–1

76'6.3

@ Tokyo Verdy

J1 League · 6–0

74'6.6

vs Kashiwa Reysol

J1 League · 0–1

90'6.5

vs Kashima

J1 League · 1–1

90'7.2

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Yokohama F. Marinos	31	0	2	6.80
2024	Yokohama F. Marinos	43	3	2	6.78
2023	Yokohama F. Marinos	81	6	0	6.80
2022	Yokohama F. Marinos	35	0	0	6.94
2021	Yokohama F. Marinos	33	0	3	6.75

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

153

Fouls

← All World Cup stars