Ayase Ueda

Ayase Ueda is the Feyenoord striker named in Japan's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, confirmed by Hajime Moriyasu on 15 May 2026. He is 27 at kick-off and brings 38 senior caps and 16 international goals into the tournament, a centre-forward in a side captained by Wataru Endo.

Ueda leads the line through hold-up play, movement and pressure from the front, valued for his industry as much as his finishing. His 16 goals make him one of the more reliable finishers in the squad, and his work off the ball sets the tone up front. Japan won their Asian qualifying group and were drawn in Group F with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia, their opener against the Netherlands in Arlington on 14 June.

Ueda is a striker who leads the line. His game is built on strong hold-up play, intelligent off-the-ball movement and defensive pressure from the front, and he is valued for his industry as much as his output.

He brings runners into the game by holding the ball up under pressure and stretches a defence with his movement. The work without the ball is as central to his role as the finishing, and his 16 international goals show the end product is there.

Leading the line for Japan, Ueda turns the £17m pick into a centre-forward option: 16 international goals, strong hold-up play and pressing from the front. The Tier 3 price reflects a side that came through their Asian qualifying section, set for Group F meetings with Tunisia, the Netherlands and Sweden.

With Ueda leading the line, the return is a focal point up top — holding the ball for runners, pressing the first defender and keeping Japan's finishing reference tied to those 16 international goals.