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MONTERREY, Mexico — When Japan needed a goal against the Netherlands in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the most experienced players on the squad delivered.
Daichi Kamada’s late equalizer secured a massive point for the Samurai Blue, and the 29-year-old showed why he is manager Hajime Moriyasu’s most trusted veteran.
In Japan’s second match against Tunisia, Kamada continued his production for the Samurai Blue. In the fourth minute, Kamada was the beneficiary of a Keito Nakamura cross into the box, beating Tunisian keeper Aymen Dahmen for an early Japan lead.
Three years before his moment against the Dutch, Kamada published an unusual biography, Unwavering Belief, which tells his rise to the Japanese national team through the eyes of 12 coaches, mentors, teammates, and family members who helped his career. The book’s title reflects a trait that has defined Kamada’s journey: a belief in his own path, even when others questioned it.
Kamada is one of Japan’s most experienced players, having been with the Samurai Blue since 2019 and playing 50 games for the national team, scoring 13 goals along the way.
Kamada also provides Japan with familiarity with top opponents through his long professional career. The current Crystal Palace midfielder has stops in top leagues in Japan, Belgium, Germany, and Italy, along with his ongoing stint in England.
Kamada is coming off back-to-back trophy-winning seasons with Crystal Palace, helping the club secure its first major championship through an FA Cup victory in 2025 before lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy in 2026.
Against the Netherlands, Kamada’s unwavering belief delivered a vital goal. Against Tunisia, the midfielder provided another defining moment as the Samurai Blue look to take a major step toward the knockout stage, a feat Japan has achieved in its last two World Cup appearances.
Evan Waldman is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
