"My goal is to be the World Cup top scorer": Japanese football 'surprise selection' striker shows confidence

*This content was translated by AI.

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Kento Shiogai (21, Wolfsburg), a striker who was surprisingly selected for the Japanese national team, stated that his World Cup goal is to become the top scorer.

According to local reports from Japanese football media Soccerking and others on the 27th, after completing the 2025-2026 German Bundesliga promotion/relegation playoffs, Shiogai said on his way back to Japan, "You might think, 'What is he talking about?' but setting a goal is a matter of freedom."

He added, "If I fail to achieve my goal, I will face criticism, but I believe such criticism can serve as motivation to work even harder. I think it makes no sense to stay silent and do nothing. But I am genuinely aiming for (the top scorer title). My goal is simply high."

Shiogai said, "Of course, I am well aware of my own skill level, but I believe it is a matter of freedom to set high goals. As long as one does not overestimate their abilities, it is fine. This is not a statement limited to this tournament. I believe I have reached this point because I have always given my all in every match. At the World Cup, I will also show 100% of what I have always done."

Shiogai, who hails from the Japanese Yeon Ryeong-byeol (CEO) team, made his debut at Yokohama F. Marinos, played for NEC in the Netherlands, and joined Wolfsburg in January this year, becoming a striker who entered Europe's top leagues. He is indeed a 'surprise selection' for the Japanese national team participating in the North American World Cup. After moving to Wolfsburg, he appeared in 12 matches (2 as a starter) and scored only one goal. His first and only appearance in an A-match was a 12-minute cameo (with one assist) in a friendly against Scotland last March, yet he made it to the final World Cup roster.

He had previously estimated his chances of making the final World Cup roster at 50%. He said, "I believe Coach Hajime Moriyasu selected me expecting me to score goals. I have not had much experience with national team call-ups, so selecting me after just one away trip to England might have been a kind of gamble for the team."

He continued, "I know there are reactions questioning whether I should really be selected since I have not yet fully demonstrated my skills. However, I believe such voices can be silenced with goals. I want to show my true playing ability at the World Cup. This World Cup will undoubtedly be a turning point in my career. I want to show my true strength on this stage and create a tournament that I will look back on in the distant future with the thought, 'I am glad I was able to perform back then.'"

The Japanese national team will hold a World Cup departure ceremony against Iceland in Tokyo, Japan, on the 31st, before heading to their base camp in the United States. In the World Cup, they are placed in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden. Shiogai will wear jersey number 26 at this World Cup.

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*This content was translated by AI.