FM26 Guide: How to Manage Japan in the World Cup

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International Management has officially arrived in the latest Football Manager 2026 update, giving players the chance to take charge of their country on football’s biggest stage. With Update 26.3.1 introducing the World Cup spotlight mode, managers can jump straight into the tournament and lead 47 of the 48 qualified nations.

The one notable exception is Japan. Due to licensing restrictions, the Japanese national team does not appear as a selectable option in the standard World Cup or national team quick-start modes. However, while Japan may seem unavailable at first glance, there is actually a simple workaround that allows players to manage the Samurai Blue throughout the tournament.

The Japan World Cup Workaround

Follow these steps to take control of Japan at the World Cup:

From the main menu, select Start a New Career instead of World Cup and International Management Quick Starts.

Choose Advanced Setup Career.

Set up your save as normal and select whichever leagues you want active.
When you reach the Game Start Date screen, choose Start prior to FIFA World Cup provisional squads (11/5/2026).

Continue through the setup process until it’s time to select a team.
Under Nation, navigate to Asia/Men’s/ Senior Squad.

Scroll through the list and you’ll find Japan available to select.

Once selected, you’re ready to begin your World Cup journey with Japan.

Does the World Cup Still Work Properly?

Yes. Even though you’re not using the dedicated World Cup quick-start mode, the tournament functions exactly as expected.

When you check the fixture schedule, you’ll see Japan placed in its real-life World Cup group. As the save progresses to June 11, the official World Cup branding and presentation also appear, giving you the full tournament experience.