Zlatan's bold statement: "Japan is not a dark horse in the World Cup... a legitimate champion contender"

*This content was translated by AI.

Even a Swedish football legend, renowned for displaying extraordinary self-esteem on a global scale, acknowledged this. Zlatan Ibrahimović recognized the Japanese national football team as a strong contender for the World Cup title this year.

On the 21st (Korea time), Japan secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, held at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico. After drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands in the first match, Japan's win today brought their record to one victory and one draw (four points), placing them second in the group.

As a result, Japan has secured a favorable position to advance to the Round of 32 tournament with just a draw in the upcoming third match against Sweden, which would keep them second in the group. Notably, in the match against Tunisia, Japan became the first Asian nation to score four goals in a single World Cup match.

Ibrahimović, a Swedish legend who has followed the Japanese national team and currently serves as an advisor to AC Milan, highly evaluated Japan's chances of winning the title. Commentating for the American broadcaster 'FOX', Ibrahimović stated regarding Japan's performance, "We must stop calling Japan a dark horse. A team that consistently delivers such performances is no longer an underdog but a genuine champion contender."

Regarding the specific reasons for his praise of Japan, Ibrahimović emphasized, "A 4-0 victory in the World Cup does not happen by luck. Overwhelming the opponent is also not a matter of chance. It stems from the level of the squad, discipline, confidence, and players who fully understand their roles."

Furthermore, he evaluated the current Japanese national team as an ideal squad. Highlighting mental strength as the most impressive aspect, he noted, "Japan shows no fear, no hesitation, and does not obsess over the opponent's reputation. They launch aggressive attacks, and their defense acts as one, ensuring the opponent has no comfort for even a single second."

He continued, "Before the tournament began, everyone focused on the traditional powerhouses of world football. However, as the matches progress, Japan is forcibly inserting itself into that conversation," pointing out that the evaluation of the Japanese national team is rapidly rising.

Even Ibrahimović remarked, "If I were watching this performance as a member of a top-tier powerhouse, I would be worried and very concerned. This is because Japan appears to be a team that grows stronger every time it steps onto the pitch."

The praise did not stop there. He said, "What is dangerous is that they are never satisfied. Even if the score is 3-0 or 4-0, Japan continues to press high, keeps running, and keeps searching for another goal. That is the mindset of a team that genuinely believes it can achieve something special."

He also added, "Even if you gather world-class superstars, you will struggle when facing a team that plays with this level of organization, energy, and confidence. Japan is slowly proving itself to be a champion contender in this World Cup. Some may not agree, but football is made by performance, not reputation."

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*This content was translated by AI.