Kaishu Sano
Japan
Age
25
Appearances
2
Goals
0
About Kaishu Sano
Kaishu Sano is a defensive midfielder in Hajime Moriyasu's confirmed 26-man Japan squad for the 2026 World Cup, going to the finals at 25. He plays his club football for Mainz in the Bundesliga and was named in the IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year for 2025.
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. Sano is among Moriyasu's midfield 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. Sano is among Moriyasu's midfield options for the group stage.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
2
Minutes played
180
Goals
0
Assists
1
Key passes
0
Accuracy
90%
Playing Style
A defensive midfielder, Sano sits in front of the defence and breaks up play with his tackling and stamina, and he ranked among the Bundesliga's top interceptors in 2025-26, second in the league. He is right-footed and stands 1.76 m.
This season he has logged 3,059 club minutes for Mainz, going into the group stage in Hajime Moriyasu's squad at 25.
This season he has logged 3,059 club minutes for Mainz, going into the group stage in Hajime Moriyasu's squad at 25.
World Cup History
The 2026 World Cup is set to be Kaishu Sano's first at senior level, with no senior World Cup on his record. His international career to date runs to 13 senior caps for Japan, earned as he established himself in midfield. Hajime Moriyasu has named him in the confirmed 26 for the finals. He goes into the group stage among Japan's midfield options.
National Team
Japan
Tier 3
£17m
📋 Teammates (24)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Sano's work for Japan is in midfield, a ball-winning defensive midfielder who screens the back line, breaks up play and ranked among the Bundesliga's top interceptors this season, second in the league. 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.
Want Kaishu Sano's Goals in Your Card?
Select Japan (Tier 3, £17m) in Goal Rush and every goal Kaishu Sano scores counts towards your total.
Sano at the 2026 World Cup
Sano is a confirmed defensive midfielder 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 Sano among the midfielders in the confirmed 26.
Kaishu Sano World Cup 2026 FAQs
Japan sit in the mid-priced Tier 3 band at £17m on the Goal Rush card. Sano is in Hajime Moriyasu's confirmed 26 as a defensive midfielder, so his role is the quick reference at that team price.
Sano is a defensive midfielder for Japan, a ball-winner who screens the defence. He plays his club football for Mainz in the Bundesliga and is named in Hajime Moriyasu's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.
No. He has no previous senior World Cup appearances. The 2026 World Cup would be his first, with his place confirmed in Hajime Moriyasu's 26-man Japan squad after Japan won their AFC third-round qualifying group.
Sano plays his club football for 1. FSV Mainz 05 in Germany's Bundesliga. He is named among Japan's midfielders in Hajime Moriyasu's final 26 for the 2026 World Cup, going to the finals in the group stage.
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