Japan national football team head coach Moriyasu Hajime. [AP]
Japan national football team head coach Moriyasu Hajime. [AP]

Moriyasu Hajime, the coach who led Japan to two consecutive World Cup appearances, will stay on to guide the national team through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup early next year, sources said. However, the Japan Football Association has decided not to renew his contract even if Japan wins the tournament — a move observers are calling highly unusual.

Nikkan Sports reported Thursday, citing multiple JFA officials, that the association formally asked Moriyasu to continue leading the team through the 2027 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, scheduled in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5 next year. Moriyasu accepted the offer, described as a highly unusual six-month contract extension, according to the report.

The outlet added that the JFA plans to move to a new coaching regime starting with the March A-match window next year, regardless of whether Japan wins the Asian Cup.

A separate contract could be arranged if Moriyasu takes on a different role after the tournament — such as an advisory position on national team development or grassroots football promotion — but his tenure as head coach will end with the Asian Cup.

The specific contract terms are expected to be formalized after his reappointment receives official approval at a JFA board meeting on July 23.

Moriyasu took charge of the Japan national team after the 2018 Russia World Cup and has led the side at two consecutive tournaments — the 2022 Qatar World Cup and this year's North and Central America World Cup.

At the Qatar World Cup, he engineered back-to-back upsets over Germany and Spain to advance Japan to the round of 16. At this year's tournament, Japan navigated a so-called "group of death" alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia, going unbeaten with one win and two draws to finish second in Group F and reach the round of 32.

In the round of 32, Japan struck first against Brazil — the most decorated nation in World Cup history — but fell 2-1 in a hard-fought comeback defeat, ending their run at the tournament.

When Japan reached the knockout stage, speculation had swirled that Moriyasu could extend his contract by four more years and lead the team through the 2030 World Cup — a potential 12-year reign. Instead, the JFA is opting for a short six-month deal, with a view to empowering the next coach who will take charge for the following World Cup.


betterj@heraldcorp.com