The Dutch, quarter-finalists in 2022 and ranked seventh in the world by FIFA, will be favourites to progress. Their biggest challenge is likely to come from Japan, who became the first side to secure their place at the tournament in March last year after breezing through their qualifying group.

Netherlands have the most stars. Sweden might've the best player. But Japan might have the team to do the impossible this summer.

Japan’s national team has changed practice venues in Monterrey ahead of the World Cup after players encountered an uneven pitch marred by patches of dirt at their original training ground.

Impressive results have fuelled belief that Hajime Moriyasu’s side can not just survive against the best but beat them too

Japan's "100 Year Vision" is well ahead of schedule, but are the Samurai Blue ready win the World Cup now?

Japan become one of the first beneficiaries of the new time-limited substitution rule as they score while opponents Iceland have just 10 players on the pitch.

Every soccer World Cup is an opportunity for Japan to deploy an unusual instrument of soft power.

Japan has changed practice venues in Monterrey ahead of the World Cup after players encountered an uneven pitch marred by patches of dirt at their original training ground.

Based on the odds, the next World Cup winner could come from Europe or South America. Here's the latest.