FIFA President Gianni Infantino met Japan Football Association (JFA) President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto in Tokyo, praising his leadership and commitment to growing the game for the next generation of Japanese players.

"It was a great pleasure to meet Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto in Tokyo to discuss our continued cooperation and the growth of football in Japan," Infantino said following the meeting.

Miyamoto's distinguished playing and administrative career

Miyamoto, elected JFA President in March 2024, is one of Japan's most decorated footballers. He captained the national team at both the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments and lifted the AFC Asian Cup title in 2004. After retiring from playing, he managed J1 League club Gamba Osaka and completed the FIFA Master course — a prestigious sports administration programme designed to produce world-class football executives.

Infantino highlighted Miyamoto's unique perspective as both a former elite player and a qualified administrator. "As an AFC Asian Cup-winning captain who led his national team at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto understands the football landscape thoroughly and is spearheading Japan's commitment to excellence and youth development across all levels of our game," the FIFA President said.

"My sincere thanks to President Miyamoto and everyone at the JFA for their dedication, vision and fantastic support as we work together to further expand opportunities for the next generation," Infantino added.

FIFA programmes powering Japan's youth development

The JFA and FIFA have maintained a close working relationship centred on youth football. Since the FIFA Forward Programme launched in 2016, it has consistently funded Japan's U-15 and U-18 national youth leagues — a partnership now entering its tenth year. The impact is measurable: ten players who featured in Japan's qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026 came through pathways supported by FIFA Forward.

Beyond funding, the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) is equipping the JFA with cutting-edge tools to identify and protect young talent. An AI-driven motion-capture application, backed by the TDS, analyses players' running technique, flags high-risk movement patterns, and supports injury prevention. The scheme has also funded European study visits, allowing elite Japanese youth coaches to observe high-intensity training and competition environments abroad.