Samurai Blue Chooses Nashville as Base Camp Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Photo / JFA (Japan Football Association)

NASHVILLE, TN — The Japanese Men’s National soccer team, known as Samurai Blue, has picked Nashville as its Base Camp City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting up at the Nashville SC Training Center in Antioch. Japan’s arrival was today, with the team expected to remain in Music City through July 17, eating, sleeping, and training in Nashville as they prepare for football’s biggest stage.

To kick off the stay, the team held a community day and open training opportunity at Geodis Park, giving fans a rare chance to see the squad up close and experience the atmosphere around a team gearing up for tournament action. A large crowd of both Japanese Nationals, expats, and general soccer enthusiasts showed up to root and cheer the Samarai Blue in their World Cup efforts.

So, are they good? Soccer America’s Mikek Woitalla says the answer is an emphatic “Absolutely.” He points to Japan’s attacking style, flair, and the way the program plays to win—drawing influence from Brazil-style soccer while building its own identity over decades.

Japan’s leadership includes captain Wataru Endo, a defensive midfielder with a club career in the Premier League, while star forward Takefusa Kubo has been a breakout talent since his early Real Madrid days. Still, injuries can change everything: both Endo and Kubo have recently faced health concerns, adding an element of uncertainty as the team’s run approaches.

And Nashville isn’t waiting for the World Cup to start feeling real—Friday night’s USA vs. Paraguay watch party keeps the excitement going at Geodis Park, with more World Cup energy expected throughout the weekend.