Before Japan took the field, other Asian football powerhouses had already made their mark—or missteps—on the World Cup stage. South Korea, making their ninth appearance in the tournament, narrowly lost to Sweden 0-1. The margin could have been far worse if not for goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo’s stunning saves that denied Sweden three clear chances. Unfortunately, South Korea’s midfield was disjointed, with Ki Sung-yueng and Koo Ja-cheol still struggling to find chemistry, leaving the attack line led by Son Heung-min isolated and ineffective. The performance left fans frustrated and questioning what comes next for Asia’s teams.

As the last Asian side to enter the tournament, Japan carries the expectations of a continent. Cricket Exchange discussions have been buzzing about whether the Blue Samurai can carry the flag for Asia against world-class competition. Facing Colombia in their opening match, Japan aims to emulate Iran’s fighting spirit and add to the narrative that Asian teams are more than just background players in the World Cup drama. Iran stunned Morocco with a 1-0 victory despite having no official base camp or major sponsors—showing grit that turned heads. Meanwhile, Japan is hoping to reignite the same pride and determination.

Australia, a member of the Asian Football Confederation since 2006, showed a brave face against France. Though they lost, the performance was far from disappointing. With a squad valued at only €42.75 million—barely a fraction of France’s billion-euro lineup—the Socceroos nearly caused an upset. Coach Bert van Marwijk confidently claimed to have found the formula to beat France, and his players almost made that prophecy come true. On the other side, French coach Didier Deschamps may have regretted his pre-match confidence once the match started to tilt against them.

Cricket Exchange coverage also highlighted the opening day lesson taught by host nation Russia. Their 5-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia served as a harsh wake-up call, not just for the team but for AFC President Salman, who had boldly declared “Asian pride” before the tournament. As Japan finally enters the field, all eyes will be on whether they can revive that pride and deliver a performance that shows the world Asia is no longer content with just participating. For fans following through Cricket Exchange, this match could be the turning point for the continent’s narrative in this global arena.