2025 in Japanese football

This article summarizes Japanese football in the 2025 season.

Football in Japan

Season	2025
Men's football
Super Cup	Sanfrecce Hiroshima
← 2024 2026 →

National teams

See also: Japan Football Association

Men's

Senior

Japan  v  Bahrain

20 March 2026 World Cup qualification 3R	Japan	2–0	Bahrain	Saitama, Japan
19:35 UTC+9	Kamada 66' Kubo 87'	Report		Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002 Attendance: 58,137 Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)

Japan  v  Saudi Arabia

25 March 2026 World Cup qualification 3R	Japan	0–0	Saudi Arabia	Saitama, Japan
19:35 UTC+9		Report		Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002 Attendance: 58,003 Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Australia  v  Japan

5 June 2026 World Cup qualification 3R	Australia	v	Japan	Perth, Australia
--:-- UTC+8		Report		Stadium: Perth Stadium

Japan  v  Indonesia

10 June 2026 World Cup qualification 3R	Japan	v	Indonesia	Suita, Japan
--:-- UTC+9		Report		Stadium: Suita City Football Stadium

China  v  Japan

July 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship	China	v	Japan	South Korea
--:-- UTC+9

Hong Kong  v  Japan

July 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship	Hong Kong	v	Japan	South Korea
--:-- UTC+9

South Korea  v  Japan

July 2025 EAFF E-1 Football Championship	South Korea	v	Japan	South Korea
--:-- UTC+9

Japan  v TBD

10 October 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup	Japan	v	TBD	Suita, Japan
--:-- UTC+9				Stadium: Suita City Football Stadium

Japan  v TBD

14 October 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup	Japan	v	TBD	Chōfu, Japan
--:-- UTC+9				Stadium: Ajinomoto Stadium

Japan  v TBD

14 November 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup	Japan	v	TBD	Toyota, Japan
--:-- UTC+9				Stadium: Toyota Stadium

Japan  v TBD

18 November 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup	Japan	v	TBD	Tokyo, Japan
--:-- UTC+9				Stadium: Japan National Stadium

• Fixtures & Results (2025), JFA.jp

U-20

Japan  v  Australia

7 February Friendly	Japan	2–1	Australia	Chiba
18:50 UTC+9	Sato 11', 18'		Jovanovic 39'	Stadium: JFA YUME Field

Japan  v  Thailand

14 February U-20 Asian Cup GS	Japan	3–0	Thailand	Shenzhen, China
17:15 UTC+8	Ishii 14' Ichihara 33' (pen.) Sato 69'	Report		Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 184 Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Rowaily (Qatar)

Syria  v  Japan

17 February U-20 Asian Cup GS	Syria	2–2	Japan	Shenzhen, China
15:00 UTC+8	Al-Mustafa 10' Soufi 33'	Report	Ozeki 24' Takaoka 85'	Stadium: Longhua Cultural and Sports Center Attendance: 468 Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)

Japan  v  South Korea

20 February U-20 Asian Cup GS	Japan	1–1	South Korea	Shenzhen, China
15:00 UTC+8	Kanda 28'	Report	Kim Tae-won 90+1'	Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 277 Referee: Thoriq Alkatiri (Indonesia)

Iran  v  Japan

23 February U-20 Asian Cup QF	Iran	1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p)	Japan	Shenzhen, China
19:30 UTC+8	Ghandipour 5'	Report	Ogura 30'	Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 1,826 Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)
	Penalties
	Aali Shahrabadi Shakouri Hassani Andarz		Nakajima Takaoka Takahashi Sato Ichihara

Australia  v  Japan

26 February U-20 Asian Cup SF	Australia	2–0	Japan	Shenzhen, China
19:30 UTC+8	Toure 49' Pearman 67'	Report		Stadium: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1 Attendance: 1,363 Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Rowaily (Qatar)

France  v  Japan

20 March Friendly	France	1–3	Japan	Benidorm, Spain
16:00 UTC+1	Kroupi 13'	Report	Goto 24', 56' Ishii 35'	Stadium: Estadio Municipal Guillermo Amor

Japan  v  United States

24 March Friendly	Japan	1–1	United States	Benidorm, Spain
17:00 UTC+1	Ozeki 23'	Report	Tsakiris 55'	Stadium: Estadio Municipal Guillermo Amor

• Fixtures & Results (U-20 2025), JFA.jp

U-17

Cerro Porteño v  Japan

17 February Friendly match	Cerro Porteño	0–1	Japan	Ypané, Paraguay
07:30 UTC−3		Report	Minato Yoshida 47'	Stadium: Parque Azulgrana

Paraguay  v  Japan

19 February Friendly match	Paraguay	2–3	Japan	Ypané, Paraguay
18:15 UTC−3	Pedro Villalba 26', 37'	Report	Yuito Kamo 6' Hiroto Asada 68', 90+5'	Stadium: CARFEM

Paraguay  v  Japan

21 February Friendly match	Paraguay	0–3	Japan	Ypané, Paraguay
18:00 UTC−3		Report	Mibuki Kasai 51', 63' Yuzuki Kobayashi 88'	Stadium: CARFEM

Japan  v  United Arab Emirates

4 April 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS	Japan	4–1	United Arab Emirates	Taif, Saudi Arabia
20:15 UTC+3	Minato Yoshida 3', 15' Yuito Kamo 34' Hiroto Asada 83'	Report	Faysal Mohammed 71'	Stadium: King Fahd Sports City Referee: Faisal Al-Balawi (Saudi Arabia)

Vietnam  v  Japan

7 April 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS	Vietnam	1–1	Japan	Taif, Saudi Arabia
18:00 UTC+3				Stadium: Okadh Sport Club Stadium

Japan  v  Australia

10 April 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS	Japan	v	Australia	Taif, Saudi Arabia
18:00 UTC+3				Stadium: Okadh Sport Club Stadium

• Fixtures & Results (U-17 2025), JFA.jp

U-16

Germany  v  Japan

13 February Algarve Cup	Germany	0–0	Japan	Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal
15:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Vila Real de Santo António

Portugal  v  Japan

15 February Algarve Cup	Portugal	1–1	Japan	Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal
12:00 UTC+3	Sevastian Belov 78'	Report	Kyoya Tatsuno 86'	Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Vila Real de Santo António

Netherlands  v  Japan

18 February Algarve Cup	Netherlands	1–3	Japan	Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal
12:00 UTC+3	Jeshurun Simeon 85'	Report	Kyoya Tatsuno 6' Masaki Koyama 65' Eito Takaki 74'	Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Vila Real de Santo António

England  v  Japan

15 April Montaigu Tournament	England	v	Japan	Les Herbiers, France
09:30 UTC+2				Stadium: Stade de la Salmondiere

Portugal  v  Japan

17 April Montaigu Tournament	Portugal	v	Japan	Les Herbiers, France
16:30 UTC+2				Stadium: Stade de la Salmondiere

Mexico  v  Japan

19 April Montaigu Tournament	Mexico	v	Japan	Les Herbiers, France
18:00 UTC+2				Stadium: Stade de la Salmondiere

TBD v  Japan

21 April Montaigu Tournament Plac.	TBD	v	Japan	Les Herbiers, France
--:-- UTC+2				Stadium: Stade de la Salmondiere

• Fixtures & Results (U-16 2025), JFA.jp

Futsal

Women's

Senior

Japan  v  Australia

20 February SheBelieves Cup	Japan	4–0	Australia	Houston, United States
16:00 UTC−6	Tanaka 6', 32' Hamano 52' Minami 75'			Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium

Colombia  v  Japan

23 February SheBelieves Cup	Colombia	1–4	Japan	Glendale, United States
13:00 UTC−7	Caicedo 45+4'	Report	Tanikawa 1' Tanaka 8', 80' (pen.) Hamano 57'	Stadium: State Farm Stadium Attendance: 12,624 Referee: Alex Billeter (USA)

United States  v  Japan

26 February SheBelieves Cup	United States	1–2	Japan	San Diego, United States
19:30 UTC−8	Sentnor 14'		Momiki 2' Koga 50'	Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium

Japan  v  Colombia

6 April Friendly	Japan	1–1	Colombia	Osaka, Japan
14:00 UTC+9	Takahashi 90+4' (pen.)	Report	Torres 35'	Stadium: Yodoko Sakura Stadium Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (South Korea)

• Fixtures & Results (2025), JFA.jp

U-20

U-17

Club competitions

See also: Japan Football Association

League (men)

Promotion and relegation

League	Promoted to league	Relegated from league
J1 League	Shimizu S-Pulse Yokohama FC Fagiano Okayama	Júbilo Iwata Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo Sagan Tosu
J2 League	RB Omiya Ardija FC Imabari Kataller Toyama	Tochigi SC Kagoshima United Thespa Gunma
J3 League	Tochigi City Kochi United	YSCC Yokohama Iwate Grulla Morioka
Japan Football League	Asuka FC	Sony Sendai (disbanded)

J.League

Main article: J.League

J1 League

Main article: 2025 J1 League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Machida Zelvia	9	5	2	2	12	8	+4	17	Qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite league stage
2	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	8	5	2	1	9	5	+4	17
3	Kashima Antlers	9	5	1	3	16	9	+7	16
4	Kashiwa Reysol	9	4	4	1	10	7	+3	16
5	Avispa Fukuoka	9	5	1	3	9	7	+2	16
6	Kawasaki Frontale	8	4	3	1	14	5	+9	15
7	Kyoto Sanga	9	4	3	2	11	10	+1	15
8	Fagiano Okayama	9	4	2	3	8	5	+3	14
9	Shonan Bellmare	9	4	2	3	9	11	−2	14
10	Shimizu S-Pulse	9	3	2	4	10	9	+1	11
11	Yokohama FC	9	3	1	5	6	7	−1	10
12	Urawa Red Diamonds	9	2	4	3	7	9	−2	10
13	Tokyo Verdy	9	2	4	3	7	11	−4	10
14	Gamba Osaka	9	3	1	5	9	15	−6	10
15	Cerezo Osaka	9	2	3	4	14	15	−1	9
16	Vissel Kobe	8	2	3	3	6	7	−1	9
17	FC Tokyo	9	2	2	5	6	11	−5	8
18	Nagoya Grampus	9	2	2	5	11	17	−6	8	Relegation to the J2 League
19	Yokohama F. Marinos	8	1	4	3	4	6	−2	7
20	Albirex Niigata	9	1	4	4	10	14	−4	7

Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2025. Source: J1 League, J.League Data Site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goals scored; 7) Fewer disciplinary points.

J2 League

Main article: 2025 J2 League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	JEF United Chiba	8	7	0	1	19	7	+12	21	Promotion to the 2026–27 J1 League
2	RB Omiya Ardija	8	5	1	2	13	6	+7	16
3	Júbilo Iwata	8	5	1	2	11	9	+2	16	Qualification for the promotion play-offs
4	FC Imabari	8	4	3	1	14	7	+7	15
5	V-Varen Nagasaki	8	4	2	2	16	13	+3	14
6	Vegalta Sendai	8	4	2	2	10	7	+3	14
7	Tokushima Vortis	8	3	3	2	5	3	+2	12
8	Fujieda MYFC	8	3	3	2	11	10	+1	12
9	Oita Trinita	8	2	5	1	7	6	+1	11
10	Kataller Toyama	8	3	2	3	6	5	+1	11
11	Roasso Kumamoto	8	3	2	3	10	11	−1	11
12	Ventforet Kofu	8	3	1	4	8	10	−2	10
13	Sagan Tosu	8	3	1	4	6	10	−4	10
14	Montedio Yamagata	8	2	3	3	12	11	+1	9
15	Mito HollyHock	8	2	3	3	11	11	0	9
16	Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo	8	3	0	5	7	13	−6	9
17	Blaublitz Akita	8	3	0	5	9	16	−7	9
18	Renofa Yamaguchi	8	1	3	4	7	9	−2	6	Relegation to the 2026–27 J3 League
19	Iwaki FC	8	0	3	5	3	12	−9	3
20	Ehime FC	8	0	2	6	7	16	−9	2

Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2025. Source: Meiji Yasuda J2 League, J.League Data Site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.

J3 League

Main article: 2025 J3 League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	FC Osaka	8	5	1	2	9	5	+4	16	Promotion to the 2026–27 J2 League
2	Kagoshima United	8	4	3	1	16	9	+7	15
3	Giravanz Kitakyushu	7	5	0	2	9	3	+6	15	Qualification for the promotion play-offs
4	Tochigi City FC	8	4	3	1	11	9	+2	15
5	Nara Club	8	3	4	1	12	10	+2	13
6	Tegevajaro Miyazaki	8	3	3	2	10	8	+2	12
7	Zweigen Kanazawa	7	3	2	2	10	8	+2	11
8	Fukushima United	7	3	2	2	13	12	+1	11
9	Vanraure Hachinohe	7	3	2	2	8	7	+1	11
10	Kamatamare Sanuki	8	2	4	2	7	7	0	10
11	Kochi United	8	2	3	3	13	10	+3	9
12	Nagano Parceiro	7	3	0	4	9	12	−3	9
13	Tochigi SC	8	2	2	4	5	7	−2	8
14	SC Sagamihara	7	2	2	3	6	9	−3	8
15	Thespa Gunma	8	2	2	4	10	14	−4	8
16	Azul Claro Numazu	7	1	4	2	6	6	0	7
17	Matsumoto Yamaga	6	1	3	2	5	9	−4	6
18	FC Gifu	8	1	3	4	9	14	−5	6
19	Gainare Tottori	8	1	3	4	5	11	−6	6	Qualification for the relegation/promotion play-offs
20	Ryukyu Okinawa	7	1	2	4	4	7	−3	5	Relegation to the 2026–27 JFL

Updated to match(es) played on 6 April 2025. Source: Meiji Yasuda J3 League, J.League Data Site
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.

Japan Football League (JFL)

Main article: 2025 Japan Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion, qualification or relegation
1	Criacao Shinjuku	4	3	0	1	7	3	+4	9	Promotion to 2026–27 J3 League
2	Okinawa SV	4	3	0	1	5	6	−1	9	Qualification for promotion playoffs
3	ReinMeer Aomori	4	2	2	0	5	0	+5	8
4	Honda FC	4	2	2	0	6	3	+3	8
5	Reilac Shiga	4	2	1	1	8	6	+2	7
6	Verspah Oita	4	2	1	1	6	4	+2	7
7	Tiamo Hirakata	4	2	1	1	7	6	+1	7
8	Iwate Grulla Morioka	4	2	1	1	6	5	+1	7
9	Veertien Mie	4	2	1	1	5	4	+1	7
10	YSCC Yokohama	4	2	1	1	2	2	0	7
11	Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa	4	1	1	2	1	2	−1	4
12	Atletico Suzuka	4	1	1	2	4	6	−2	4
13	Minebea Mitsumi	4	0	2	2	4	6	−2	2
14	Asuka FC	4	0	1	3	2	5	−3	1
15	Yokogawa Musashino	4	0	1	3	1	4	−3	1	Qualification for relegation playoffs
16	Maruyasu Okazaki	4	0	0	4	0	7	−7	0	Relegation to 2026–27 Japanese Regional Leagues

Updated to match(es) played on 2 April 2025. Source: Japan Football League Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Head-to-head goal scored; 7) Fair-play points.

Regional Leagues

Main article: 2025 Japanese Regional Leagues

Main article: 2025 Japanese Regional Football Champions League

League (women)

Promotion and relegation

League	Promoted to league	Relegated from league
WE League
Nadeshiko League Division 1
Nadeshiko League Division 2

WE League

Main article: 2024–25 WE League season

2024–25 WE League season

Cup competitions (men)

Fujifilm Super Cup

Main article: 2025 Japanese Super Cup

Vissel Kobe	0–2	Sanfrecce Hiroshima
	Report	Arslan 12' Araki 70'

8 February 2025

13:36 JST

Japan National Stadium, Tokyo

Attendance: 53,343

Referee: Takafumi Mikuriya

Emperor's Cup

Main article: 2025 Emperor's Cup

J.League YBC Levain Cup

Main article: 2025 J.League Cup

Cup competitions (women)

Empress's Cup

Main article: 2025 Empress's Cup

WE League Cup

Main article: 2024–25 WE League Cup

Main article: 2025–26 WE League Cup

See also

• Japan Football Association (JFA)

Notes