Ko Itakura
Japan
Age
29
Appearances
0
Tackles won
0
About Ko Itakura
Ko Itakura is a centre-back in Hajime Moriyasu's confirmed 26-man Japan squad for the 2026 World Cup, going to the finals at 29. He has been a fixture in the Japan defence for several years and plays his club football for Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie.
The draw places Japan in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia, and they qualified for the finals by winning their AFC third-round group in March 2025. Itakura is among Moriyasu's centre-back options for the group stage.
The draw places Japan in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia, and they qualified for the finals by winning their AFC third-round group in March 2025. Itakura is among Moriyasu's centre-back options for the group stage.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
0
Minutes played
0
Tackles won
0
Interceptions
0
Clearances
0
Blocks
0
Playing Style
A ball-playing centre-back, Itakura defends the middle of Japan's back line, brings the ball out from the back and is strong in the air, and he can also step into defensive midfield when needed. He has been a regular in the Japan defence since 2022, and stands 1.88 m with a right foot.
This season he has logged 1,341 club minutes across 18 appearances for Ajax Amsterdam, going into the group stage in Hajime Moriyasu's squad at 29.
This season he has logged 1,341 club minutes across 18 appearances for Ajax Amsterdam, going into the group stage in Hajime Moriyasu's squad at 29.
World Cup History
The 2026 World Cup will be Ko Itakura's second at senior level, after he was part of Japan's squad in 2022. In Qatar he started at centre-back, including the 2-1 group-stage win over Germany. His international career runs to 40 senior caps and 2 goals for Japan. Hajime Moriyasu has named him in the confirmed 26 once more for the group stage.
National Team
Japan
Tier 3
£17m
📋 Teammates (24)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Itakura's work for Japan is at the back, a centre-back who defends the middle and steps out with the ball, with 2 goals in 40 caps and 1,341 league minutes for Ajax this season. On the Goal Rush card Japan are a Tier 3 side at £17m.
🏆 Goal Rush
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Itakura at the 2026 World Cup
Itakura is a confirmed centre-back in Hajime Moriyasu's 26-man Japan squad for the 2026 World Cup, in the side opening their Group F campaign in mid-June.
Picking Japan in Goal Rush
Japan carry a £17m Tier 3 rating on the Goal Rush card, opening Group F against the Netherlands in mid-June, with Itakura among the centre-backs in the confirmed 26.
Ko Itakura World Cup 2026 FAQs
Japan sit in the mid-priced Tier 3 band at £17m on the Goal Rush card. Itakura is in Hajime Moriyasu's confirmed 26 as a centre-back, so his role is the quick reference at that team price.
Itakura is a centre-back for Japan, a ball-playing defender who can also fill in at defensive midfield. He plays his club football for Ajax Amsterdam in the Eredivisie and is named in Hajime Moriyasu's final 26 for the 2026 World Cup.
Yes. Itakura was part of Japan's squad at the 2022 World Cup, where he started at centre-back. The 2026 finals will be his second, with his place confirmed in Hajime Moriyasu's 26-man Japan squad.
Itakura plays his club football for Ajax Amsterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie. He is named among Japan's centre-backs in Hajime Moriyasu's final 26 for the 2026 World Cup, going to the finals in the group stage.
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