Japan is increasingly producing domestic players capable of progressing to the biggest stages in world football, but there is also a wealth of talent from around the globe shining in the J.LEAGUE.
Here are just some of the international stars who will be looking to impress in the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE - and beyond - in 2026.
Dion Cools (Malaysia, Cerezo Osaka)
Malaysian defender Cools joined Cerezo Osaka midway through the 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE season, making his debut on 5 July as a substitute in the derby against Gamba Osaka.
The 29-year-old went on to make a further 13 appearances in the second half of the campaign - 10 of them as a starter - and as well as showcasing his defensive abilities, Cools also contributed to C-Osaka’s attacking play by finding the net twice for his side.
Supachok (Thailand, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo)
Thailand forward Supachok has played 87 games across J1, J2, and the J.LEAGUE Cup since signing for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in 2022, scoring 13 goals.
He made an instant impact in his debut on 7 August 2022, providing an assist soon after coming on as a substitute in Sapporo’s 5-1 win away to Shonan Bellmare, and the tricky forward is sure to provide plenty of problems for defenders in the the MEIJI YASUDA J2/J3 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE this year.
Samuel Gustafson (Sweden, Urawa Reds)
Gustafson has been playing a pivotal role in the heart of Urawa Reds’ midfield since joining the club at the start of the 2024 season.
The former Sweden international is a calming presence in the centre of the park, utilising his terrific game-reading ability to help snuff out opponents’ attacks, and the 31-year-old also makes sure to pose a threat in the final third, contributing five goals and three assists in 60 league appearances.
Jeisson Quinones (Colombia, Yokohama F･Marinos)
Quinones made an instant impression after signing with Yokohama F･Marinos last season, showcasing his impressive skillset at centre-back.
The 185cm Colombian makes sure to capitalise upon his physical attributes when challenging for aerial duels, but is also an incredibly tough opponent on the deck. Injury restricted the 28-year-old to just 22 league appearances and two goals last year, but a fully fit Quinones will undoubtedly be one to keep an eye on in 2026.
Svend Brodersen (Germany, Kawasaki Frontale)
Goalkeeper Brodersen made the first of his 139 appearances in the J.LEAGUE with Yokohama FC, with whom he spent three seasons between 2021 and 2023.
The German then had two years between the posts for Fagiano Okayama - helping them win promotion from J2 in 2024 and then preserve their place in J1 last season - and this year he will be taking on another new challenge, having transferred to Kawasaki Frontale.
As well as the Japanese players hoping to be included in Hajime Moriyasu’s squad for the 2026 finals in North America, there are also several J.LEAGUE stars from other countries targeting appearances in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
Gamba Osaka striker Issam Jebali is perhaps principal among them, with his Tunisia side having been drawn in the same group as the Samurai Blue at this summer’s finals.
The 34-year-old has found the net 14 times in 76 J.LEAGUE games so far for G-Osaka, and as well as looking to add to that tally in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE, Jebali will also be hoping his experience in the J.LEAGUE helps prepare him for the clash against Japan in Guadalupe, Mexico on 21 June.
Jason Geria is also targeting a seat on the plane to North America, with the Albirex Niigata defender a potential selection for Australia, who are managed by former Sanfrecce Hiroshima player Tony Popovic.
There are also several representatives of the Korea Republic national team plying their trade in the J.LEAGUE, and veteran goalkeeper Kim Seung Gyu (FC TOKYO), 2025 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE champion Kim Tae Hyeon (Kashima Antlers), FC Machida Zelvia’s tricky winger Na Sangho, and Oh Se Hun, the towering centre-forward who returned to Shimizu S-Pulse this off-season, are among those who could be turning out for the Taegeuk Warriors on the world’s biggest stage in a few months.
