The Japan Football Association and Hajime Moriyasu have agreed to a new contract that will keep the Samurai Blue boss in charge through 2026.

Moriyasu has been Japan manager since 2018, leading his team to the AFC Asian Cup final the following year. He then qualified Japan for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and guided them to the Round of 16, defeating previous world champions Germany and Spain along the way.

Prior to becoming Japan boss, Moriyasu was an assistant coach for the Samurai Blue at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when they also made it to the Round of 16.

Moriyasu cut his teeth as a manager at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where the former Viola player led them to three J1 League titles, three Japanese Super Cups, and third place at the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup.

Everywhere Moriyasu has managed, he’s experienced unqualified success. Now, with Japan welcoming in a terrific generation of young stars to go along with the core that led the Samurai Blue to the knockout stages in Qatar, the stage is set for Moriyasu to guide an excellent team to the next level.