Legend! 39-year-old veteran steps onto the pitch and rewrites World Cup history
Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
Yuto Nagatomo has etched his name into the annals of world football. The 39-year-old Japan defender took to the field against Sweden at the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first Asian player ever to appear at five different World Cups.
Details: Nagatomo came on as a substitute in the 75th minute of the Japan vs Sweden clash, which ended in a 1-1 draw. This marked his first appearance at the current tournament.
For the Japanese veteran, this remarkable feat is yet another chapter in a storied international career. Nagatomo has made 146 appearances for the national team, finding the net four times.
At club level, the defender has also made a significant mark in Europe, having played for Inter, Galatasaray, and Marseille over the years. He currently continues his career with FC Tokyo.
Japan finished the group stage second in Group F with five points. In the round of 16, they will face Brazil.
Reminder: Earlier, we reported that Japan set a historic record and sent Tunisia home from the World Cup.
