2024 in Japanese football

Football in Japan
Season2024
← 2023 Japan 2025 →

This article summarizes Japanese football in the 2024 season.

National teams[edit]

Men's[edit]

Senior[edit]

1 January 2024 Toyo Tires Cup[1][2] Japan  5–0  Thailand Tokyo, Japan
14:00 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 61,916
Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)
9 January Unofficial Friendly Japan  6–1  Jordan Doha, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Al Ersal Stadium
Attendance: 0
14 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS Japan  4–2  Vietnam Doha, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Attendance: 17,385
Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)
19 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS Iraq  2–1  Japan Al Rayyan, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Education City Stadium
Attendance: 38,663
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
24 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup GS Japan  3–1  Indonesia Doha, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Attendance: 26,453
Referee: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
31 January 2023 AFC Asian Cup R16 Bahrain  1–3  Japan Doha, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Attendance: 31,832
Referee: Ahmad Al-Ali (Kuwait)
3 February 2023 AFC Asian Cup QF Iran  2–1  Japan Al Rayyan, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Education City Stadium
Attendance: 35,640
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
21 March 2026 World Cup qualification Japan  1–0  North Korea Tokyo, Japan
19:20 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 59,354
Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)
6 June 2026 World Cup qualification Myanmar  0–5  Japan Yangon, Myanmar
18:40 UTC+6:30 Report
Stadium: Thuwunna Stadium
Attendance: 21,200
Referee: Majed Al-Shamrani (Saudi Arabia)
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification Japan  5–0  Syria Hiroshima, Japan
19:10 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima
Attendance: 26,650
Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)
10 October 2026 World Cup qualification 3R Saudi Arabia  v  Japan Saudi Arabia
--:-- UTC+3
19 November 2026 World Cup qualification 3R China  v  Japan China
--:-- UTC+8

U-23[edit]

U-23[edit]

22 March Friendly Japan  1–3  Mali Kameoka, Japan
19:20 UTC+9 Report Stadium: Sanga Stadium by Kyocera
Attendance: 11,515
Referee: William Finney (England)
25 March Friendly Japan  2–0  Ukraine Kitakyushu, Japan
19:15 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu
Attendance: 11,756
Referee: Lewis Smith (England)
16 April AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS Japan  1–0  China Al Rayyan, Qatar
16:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Attendance: 390
Referee: Casey Reibelt (Australia)
19 April AFC U-23 Asian Cup GS United Arab Emirates  0–2  Japan Al Rayyan, Qatar
18:30 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Attendance: 2,097
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)
25 April AFC U-23 Asian Cup QF Qatar  2–4 (a.e.t.)  Japan Al Rayyan, Qatar
17:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Attendance: 9.573
Referee: Hanna Hattab (Syria)
29 April AFC U-23 Asian Cup SF Japan  2–0  Iraq Al Rayyan, Qatar
20:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Attendance: 6,405
Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)
3 May AFC U-23 Asian Cup Final Japan  1–0  Uzbekistan Al Rayyan, Qatar
18:30 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Attendance: 12,276
Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard (Iran)
11 June Friendly United States  0–2  Japan Kansas City, United States
19:00 UTC−5 Report
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Referee: Jon Freemon (USA)
17 July Friendly France  v  Japan Toulon, France
21:05 UTC+2 Stadium: Stade Mayol
27 July 2024 Summer Olympic GS Japan  v  Mali Bordeaux, France
21:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Stade de Bordeaux

U-20[edit]

U-19[edit]

21 March Friendly Jordan  1–3  Japan Kherbet Al-Souk, Jordan
23:00 UTC+3
  • Goal 58'
Report
Stadium: Kherbet-Al Souk Stadium
23 March Friendly Syria  2–2  Japan Kherbet Al-Souk, Jordan
23:00 UTC+3
  • Goal ?', ?'
Report
Stadium: Kherbet-Al Souk Stadium
25 March Friendly Jordan  2–0  Japan Kherbet Al-Souk, Jordan
23:00 UTC+3
  • Goal ?', ?'
Report Stadium: Kherbet-Al Souk Stadium
4 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Italy  4–3  Japan Vitrolles, France
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade Jules-Ladoumègue
8 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Japan  4–1  Indonesia Fos-sur-Mer, France
14:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade Parsemain
10 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Ukraine  2–1  Japan Aubagne, France
14:30 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny
12 June Maurice Revello Tournament GS Japan  1–0  Panama Salon-de-Provence, France
14:30 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade d'Honneur Marcel Roustan
14 June Maurice Revello Tournament 5-6th place match Japan  3–1  Mexico Mallemort, France
17:00 UTC+2
Stadium: Stade d'Honneur Mallemort
27 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification Myanmar  v  Japan Kyrgyzstan
--:-- UTC+6
29 September 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualification Japan  v  Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan
--:-- UTC+6

U-17[edit]

U-16[edit]

9 February U-16 Algarve Cup Germany  3–2  Japan Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal
12:00 UTC±0
  • Lennart Karl 11'
  • Alexander Staff 15'
  • Yll Gashi 29'
Report
  • Hiroto Asada 47'
  • Minato Yoshida 56'
Stadium: Complexo Desportivo de Vila Real de Santo António
11 February U-16 Algarve Cup Netherlands  6–3  Japan Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal
16:00 UTC±0
  • Emre Ünüvar 8', 37'
  • Austyn Jones 10', 47'
  • Jairo Beerens 27'
  • Eternal Barron 58'
Report
  • Hiroto Asada 36'
  • Ryota Hariu 50'
  • Minato Yoshida 61'
Stadium: Complexo Desportivo de Vila Real de Santo António
14 February U-16 Algarve Cup Portugal  2–1  Japan Albufeira, Portugal
10:30 UTC±0
  • Anísio Cabral 28'
  • Tomás Soares 67'
Report
  • Minato Yoshida 50'
Stadium: Estádio Municipal de Albufeira
28 February UEFA Development Tournament Spain  2–0  Japan Manavgat, Turkey
12:00 UTC+3
  • Rubén López 6'
  • Òscar Gistau 42'
Report Stadium: Emirhan Sport Center
1 March UEFA Development Tournament Denmark  2–1  Japan Manavgat, Turkey
12:00 UTC+3
  • Valdemar Vestergaard 17'
  • Johan Hvistendahl 87'
Report
  • Raiki Anzai 19'
Stadium: Emirhan Sport Center
4 March UEFA Development Tournament France  5–1  Japan Manavgat, Turkey
10:00 UTC+3
  • Djylian N'Guessan 13', 33', 47'
  • Paul Eymard 50'
  • Ibrahim Mbaye 55'
Report
  • Hyoei Kawabata 65'
Stadium: Emirhan Sport Center
26 March Montaigu Tournament GS Mexico  1–0  Japan Pouzauges, France
18:30 UTC+1 Report
28 March Montaigu Tournament GS Wales  1–2  Japan Pouzauges, France
18:30 UTC+1
  • Goal 56'
Report
  • Kazunari Kodama 29'
  • Minato Yoshida 50'
30 March Montaigu Tournament GS Czech Republic  0–2  Japan Fontenay-le-Comte, France
18:00 UTC+1 Report
  • Hiromu Yokka 25'
  • Minato Yoshida 73'
19 June U-16 International Dream Cup Japan  6–0  Ukraine Hirono, Japan
15:00 UTC+9
  • Mibuki Kasai 9'
  • Taito Kanda 47'
  • Minato Yoshida 69'
  • Yuma Okuda 83'
  • Shota Fujii 88'
  • Hiroto Asada 90'
Report Stadium: J-Village Stadium
Attendance: 152
Referee: Masaaki Hiratsuka
21 June U-16 International Dream Cup Japan  4–0  Venezuela Hirono, Japan
15:00 UTC+9
  • Hiroto Asada 10', 16'
  • Mibuki Kasai 65'
  • Minato Yoshida 90+5'
Report Stadium: J-Village Stadium
Attendance: 161
Referee: Kazuyoshi Karashima
23 June U-16 International Dream Cup Japan  3–2  Senegal Hirono, Japan
15:00 UTC+9
  • Minato Yoshida 54'
  • Yuya Yokoi 70'
  • Mibuki Kasai 80'
Report
  • Ibrahima Saory Sow 45+1'
  • Mouhamed Wagne 50'
Stadium: J-Village Stadium
Attendance: 447
Referee: Daichi Shiino
23 October 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification Japan  v    Nepal Qatar
--:-- UTC+3

U-15[edit]

15 May Vlatko Marković International Tournament GS Belgium  2–3  Japan Sveti Martin na Muri, Croatia
11:00 UTC+2
  • Jayden Onia Seke 7'
  • Niels Filippo 42'
Report
  • Eito Takaki 27'
  • Koki Kurahashi 35'
  • Narumi Takahashi 80'
Stadium: NK Polet Sveti Martin na Muri
16 May Vlatko Marković International Tournament GS Japan  2–1  France Čakovec, Croatia
17:00 UTC+2
  • Shu Takisawa 19'
  • Eito Takaki 79'
Report
  • Chris Batola 65'
Stadium: Stadion SRC Mladost
17 May Vlatko Marković International Tournament GS Portugal  0–2  Japan Sveti Martin na Muri, Croatia
11:00 UTC+2 Report
  • Eito Takaki 16'
  • Rikuto Soma 20'
Stadium: Sveti Martin na Muri
19 May Vlatko Marković International Tournament Final United States  1–0  Japan Varaždin, Croatia
17:30 UTC+2
  • Omar Hassan 59'
Report Stadium: Stadion Varteks

Futsal[edit]

3 February Friendly Portugal  4–1  Japan Porto, Portugal
20:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Centro de Desportos e Congressos de Matosinhos
5 February Friendly Portugal  2–1  Japan Porto, Portugal
20:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Centro de Desportos e Congressos de Matosinhos
18 April 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Japan  2–3  Kyrgyzstan Bangkok, Thailand
Stadium: Bangkok Arena
22 April 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Japan  1–1  Tajikistan Bangkok, Thailand
Stadium: Bangkok Arena

U-23 futsal[edit]

U-20 futsal[edit]

Beach soccer[edit]

Esports football[edit]

Women's[edit]

Senior[edit]

28 February 2024 Olympic Qualifiers R3 Japan  2–1
(2–1 agg.)
 North Korea Tokyo, Japan
18:30 UTC+9 Stadium: Japan National Stadium
6 April SheBelieves Cup SF United States  2–1  Japan Atlanta, United States
12:30 ET
Report
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Attendance: 50,644
Referee: Myriam Marcotte (Canada)
9 April SheBelieves Cup 3rd Japan  1–1
(0–3 p)
 Brazil Columbus, United States
16:00 ET
Report Stadium: Lower.com Field
Attendance: 12,001
Referee: Danielle Chesky (United States)
Penalties
31 May Friendly Japan  2–0  New Zealand Murcia, Spain
16:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Estadio Nueva Condomina
Referee: Jason Barcelo (Gibraltar)
3 June Friendly Japan  4–1  New Zealand Murcia, Spain
16:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Estadio Nueva Condomina
Referee: Jason Barcelo (Gibraltar)
28 July 2024 Olympic Games GS Brazil  v  Japan Paris, France
Stadium: Parc de Princes

U-20[edit]

U-17[edit]

7 May 2024 (2024-05-07) AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS Japan  4–0  Thailand Gianyar
16:00 UTC+8
  • Shinjo 51'
  • Sakaki 65'
  • Tsuda 69', 87'
Report Stadium: Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium
Referee: Mahsa Ghorbani (Iran)
10 May 2024 (2024-05-10) AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS Australia  1–4  Japan Gianyar
19:00 UTC+8 Dos Santos 90+6' Report
  • Sato 3', 10'
  • Shinjo 65'
  • Hirakawa 80'
Stadium: Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium
Referee: Yang Shu-ting (Chinese Taipei)
13 May 2024 (2024-05-13) AFC U-17 Asian Cup GS Japan  v  China Gianyar
16:00 UTC+8 Stadium: Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium
16 May 2024 (2024-05-16) AFC U-17 Asian Cup SF v Gianyar
--:-- UTC+8 Stadium: Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium

Futsal[edit]

Club competitions[edit]

League (men)[edit]

Promotion and relegation[edit]

League Promoted to league Relegated from league
J1 League
J2 League
J3 League No Promotion No relegation
Japan Football League

No relegation

J.League[edit]

J1 League[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Machida Zelvia 22 14 4 4 35 17 +18 46 Qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite league stage
2 Kashima Antlers 22 12 5 5 36 25 +11 41
3 Gamba Osaka 22 12 5 5 26 17 +9 41 Qualification for the AFC Champions League Two group stage
4 Vissel Kobe 22 12 4 6 33 17 +16 40
5 Cerezo Osaka 22 9 9 4 29 22 +7 36
6 Avispa Fukuoka 22 9 8 5 24 21 +3 35
7 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 22 8 10 4 38 24 +14 34
8 FC Tokyo 22 9 6 7 32 30 +2 33
9 Urawa Red Diamonds 22 9 5 8 36 30 +6 32
10 Tokyo Verdy 22 7 10 5 31 35 −4 31
11 Kashiwa Reysol 22 7 8 7 27 31 −4 29
12 Nagoya Grampus 22 8 3 11 22 25 −3 27
13 Yokohama F. Marinos 22 7 5 10 31 35 −4 26
14 Albirex Niigata 22 6 7 9 30 34 −4 25
15 Kawasaki Frontale 22 5 9 8 31 32 −1 24
16 Júbilo Iwata 22 6 6 10 29 33 −4 24
17 Sagan Tosu 22 7 2 13 30 38 −8 23
18 Kyoto Sanga 22 5 6 11 20 37 −17 21 Relegation to the J2 League
19 Shonan Bellmare 22 4 7 11 28 38 −10 19
20 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 22 2 5 15 16 43 −27 11
Updated to match(es) played on 7 July 2024. 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[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 V-Varen Nagasaki 23 14 8 1 45 20 +25 50 Promotion to the 2025 J1 League
2 Yokohama FC 23 15 4 4 40 12 +28 49
3 Shimizu S-Pulse 23 16 1 6 40 26 +14 49 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
4 Fagiano Okayama 23 11 7 5 30 19 +11 40
5 Renofa Yamaguchi 23 11 5 7 28 19 +9 38
6 Vegalta Sendai 23 10 8 5 29 27 +2 38
7 JEF United Chiba 23 11 3 9 43 27 +16 36
8 Iwaki FC 23 8 7 8 31 24 +7 31
9 Ehime FC 23 8 7 8 28 36 −8 31
10 Fujieda MYFC 23 9 3 11 21 32 −11 30
11 Montedio Yamagata 23 8 5 10 22 24 −2 29
12 Tokushima Vortis 23 8 5 10 24 32 −8 29
13 Blaublitz Akita 23 7 7 9 23 24 −1 28
14 Oita Trinita 23 6 10 7 19 23 −4 28
15 Ventforet Kofu 23 6 7 10 32 34 −2 25
16 Roasso Kumamoto 23 6 6 11 28 41 −13 24
17 Mito HollyHock 23 5 7 11 20 27 −7 22
18 Kagoshima United 23 5 7 11 22 37 −15 22 Relegation to 2025 J3 League
19 Tochigi SC 23 5 5 13 20 42 −22 20
20 Thespa Gunma 23 2 6 15 16 35 −19 12
Updated to match(es) played on 7 July 2024. 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[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Omiya Ardija 20 14 4 2 38 16 +22 46 Promotion to the 2025 J2 League
2 Azul Claro Numazu 20 10 4 6 33 20 +13 34
3 Zweigen Kanazawa 20 9 6 5 36 29 +7 33 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
4 FC Imabari 20 10 3 7 25 24 +1 33
5 FC Osaka[b] 20 8 8 4 22 13 +9 32 Ineligible for promotion
6 SC Sagamihara 20 8 8 4 21 15 +6 32 Qualification for the promotion play-offs
7 Kataller Toyama 20 7 9 4 21 16 +5 30
8 FC Ryukyu 20 8 6 6 28 26 +2 30
9 Fukushima United 20 9 2 9 31 23 +8 29
10 FC Gifu 20 8 5 7 31 28 +3 29
11 Giravanz Kitakyushu 20 7 8 5 19 16 +3 29
12 Matsumoto Yamaga 20 7 6 7 31 27 +4 27
13 Vanraure Hachinohe 20 6 8 6 18 19 −1 26
14 Nagano Parceiro 20 6 6 8 33 36 −3 24
15 Nara Club 20 4 9 7 25 31 −6 21
16 YSCC Yokohama 20 5 6 9 15 25 −10 21
17 Gainare Tottori 20 4 6 10 20 36 −16 18
18 Tegevajaro Miyazaki 20 3 7 10 20 30 −10 16
19 Kamatamare Sanuki 20 2 9 9 17 26 −9 15 Possible relegation via play-offs
20 Iwate Grulla Morioka 20 3 4 13 14 42 −28 13 Possible relegation to 2025 JFL[c]
Updated to match(es) played on 7 July 2024. Source: Meiji Yasuda J3 League,