Japanese fans held drums, banners, flags and billboards and drew attention to the Under-20 Men’s World Cup with their heartfelt support. Their team had a perfect performance in the group stage and reached the round of 16, but ended the tournament with a 1-0 loss to France on Wednesday.
This gallery was hand-picked by AP photo editors.
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Japan’s Rion Ichihara celebrates after scoring her team’s first goal from the penalty spot against Chile during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
Egypt’s Hamed Abdallah scores a header during the FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer game against Japan at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, September 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Japanese fans cheer before the FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer game against Chile at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
Japanese players celebrate after defeating Chile 2-0 in a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
Japan’s Rento Takaoka, 19, runs past Chile’s Ian Garguez and falls on the pitch during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Japanese fans watch the FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match between Japan and Egypt at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, September 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Japan’s Rion Ichihara celebrates after scoring her team’s first goal from the penalty spot against Egypt during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, September 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Japanese fans watch the FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer game between Japan and Egypt at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, September 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Japanese players bow their heads after losing the FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match against France at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Japanese fans cheer before the FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer game against Chile at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
Japan’s Kosei Ogura celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal against New Zealand during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at Elias Figueroa Brander Stadium in Valparaiso, Chile, on Friday, October 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Japanese players celebrate after defeating Chile 2-0 in a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
Japanese fans pose for a photo before the FIFA U-20 World Cup Round of 16 match between Japan and France at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, October 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Japan’s ozeki Yuto (left) kicks Chile’s Vicente Alvarez during a FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
Japanese fans clean up trash from the stands after the FIFA U-20 World Cup Group A soccer match against Chile at the National Stadium in Santiago, Chile, on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix)
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