Shogo Taniguchi
Japan
Age
34
Appearances
0
Tackles won
0
About Shogo Taniguchi
Shogo Taniguchi is a centre-back in Hajime Moriyasu's confirmed 26-man Japan squad for the 2026 World Cup, going to the finals at 34. He is an experienced defender who captained Kawasaki Frontale before moving to Europe, and now plays his club football for Sint-Truiden in the Belgian Pro League.
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. Taniguchi 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. Taniguchi 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 commanding right-footed centre-back, Taniguchi marshals the back line and can also play defensive midfield, strong in the air and a goal threat from set pieces. A four-time J.League Best XI defender, he stands 1.85 m.
This season he has logged 2,958 club minutes for Sint-Truiden, going into the group stage in Hajime Moriyasu's squad at 34.
This season he has logged 2,958 club minutes for Sint-Truiden, going into the group stage in Hajime Moriyasu's squad at 34.
World Cup History
The 2026 World Cup will be Shogo Taniguchi's second at senior level, after he was named in Japan's squad in 2022. He did not feature in Qatar, where Japan reached the round of 16. His international career runs to 38 caps and 1 goal 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
Taniguchi's work for Japan is at the back, a commanding centre-back strong in the air who carries a set-piece goal threat, with 38 league appearances this season for Sint-Truiden. On the Goal Rush card Japan are a Tier 3 side at £17m, one of the lower bands within the game's £200m card budget.
🏆 Goal Rush
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Taniguchi at the 2026 World Cup
Taniguchi 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 Taniguchi among the centre-backs in the confirmed 26.
Shogo Taniguchi World Cup 2026 FAQs
Japan sit in the mid-priced Tier 3 band at £17m on the Goal Rush card. Taniguchi is in Hajime Moriyasu's confirmed 26 as a centre-back, so his role is the quick reference at that team price.
Taniguchi is a centre-back for Japan, a commanding defender strong in the air who can also play defensive midfield. He plays his club football for Sint-Truiden in the Belgian Pro League and is named in Hajime Moriyasu's final 26 for the 2026 World Cup.
Yes. Taniguchi was named in Japan's squad at the 2022 World Cup, though he did not feature. The 2026 finals will be his second, with his place confirmed in Hajime Moriyasu's 26-man Japan squad.
Taniguchi plays his club football for Sint-Truiden in the Belgian Pro League. 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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