Japan national under-17 football team
National youth football team.
The Japan national under-17 football team, commonly referred to as Japan U17, is the national youth football team of Japan, managed by the Japan Football Association. This team serves as a developmental squad for young Japanese players, providing them with international experience and preparing them for potential future roles in the senior national team. The team is for players under the age of 17 at the start of the calendar year in which a two-year FIFA U-17 World Cup campaign begins. Players can remain with the squad until they are 17, although some may continue to play at higher levels if selected.
Japan U17 has a notable history in youth football, having won the AFC U-17 Championship three times—in 1994, 2006, and 2018—and achieving significant success in other regional tournaments. The team first participated in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1993 and reached the quarterfinals both in that year and in 2011. The team's biggest victory was a 26-0 win against Guam in 2023, showcasing their dominance at this level.
The team does not have a fixed home stadium and plays matches across various venues in Japan and internationally. This approach helps to promote football among young fans throughout the country. The current head coach is Yoshiro Moriyama, who leads a squad of promising young talents aiming to make their mark on the international stage. The team's top scorer is Koki Saito with 16 goals, while Hikaru Naruoka holds the record for most caps with 44 appearances.
Japan U17 continues to be an essential part of Japan's football development program, nurturing young talents and providing them with opportunities to compete at high levels before transitioning to senior football.