Home World Cup: Nhat Minh and Hai Lini back Japan's team

In discussion with Sports and Culture about the world's biggest football festival, Nhat Minh, a defender for the U23 and Vietnam national team, pays special attention to the Japanese team. The player, who just finished a meaningful season with Hai Phong Club, hopes the 'Blue Samurai' can reach the tournament final to face England.

"At this World Cup, I give special support to the Japanese team. As fans who have followed football for many years know, the Japanese team is improving day by day and showing their formidable strength in official tournaments as well as friendlies. They can beat teams from Europe, Africa, America…

The Japanese team itself also has many accomplished players playing important roles at big clubs. Therefore, I think the Japanese team will become the biggest surprise at this year's tournament. I think the final will be an interesting clash between Japan and England.

I pick England in the final because I have always been a fan of Jude Bellingham. Bellingham can always make a difference when playing in his proper role. I hope he will shine and lead England to the tournament final," shared defender Nhat Minh.

Another player also showing special interest in the Japanese team is midfielder Tran Hai Linh (Hanoi Women's Football Club). Hai Linh said: "Recently, the Japanese team has been constantly improving. Japan has always been a great example for Asian teams to learn from and follow their development model.

Japan currently also has star players like Daichi Kamada, Kubo, Wataru Endo, Watanabe, and Daizen Maeda... They are all affirming important roles, starting at their respective clubs. Therefore, I think they will together with the Japanese team create a surprise at the World Cup."

"As for the tournament final, personally I think of a clash between France and Spain. Both teams have top world stars like Cherki, Mbappe, Dembele, or Yamal, Olmo, Rodri... The two top European powers will still be strong candidates for a final," midfielder Tran Hai Linh shared his personal view.

Unlike his two juniors, goalkeeper Van Hoang gives his support to Uzbekistan: "I think more about Uzbekistan at this World Cup. This is a team that has shown rapid development over the past dozen years. They even defeated Vietnam's U23 eight years ago.

Some Uzbekistan players have gone abroad to play, seeking a path to Europe. The Uzbekistan team also shows they are a cohesive team that puts collective discipline first. Therefore, if they become the dark horse of the tournament, I would not be too surprised by that.

As for the tournament final, I think Spain, France, or England all have a chance to reach the final match. These are top candidates for the World Cup title. They all possess top world football stars like Yamal, Dembele, Mbappe, or Harry Kane.

Therefore, their reaching the tournament final is something I and many football fans are looking forward to. But the World Cup is the biggest football festival on the planet, with plenty of surprises. I always look forward to an unimaginable scenario happening in this tournament. That could be an Asian team, even Uzbekistan itself," Van Hoang gave his view on the 2026 World Cup.