Japan

FIFA World Ranking: 35th

2002 World Cup qualifying: Qualified as co-host

2001 Overall Record: 6-3-2

World Cup final appearances: 2 - 1998 (31st), 2002

Overall Record in WC: 0-3-0

Record vs. U.S.: 1-0-0; 3 GF, 1 GA

Most Recent Match vs. U.S.: Japan 3, U.S. 1 in Tokyo; March 14, 1993 (Miura-2, Own Goal; Perez)

Manager: Philippe Troussier (FRA)

Championship Honors: 1992 & 2000 Asian Cup champions

Key Players: Hidetoshi Nakata (M, Parma), Shinji Ono (F, Feyenoord)

Fast Facts: Have been an emerging force on the soccer scene at the youth level, and will be looking to make an impact as host.... Won the Asian Cup in Lebanon in October 2000 under head coach Philippe Troussier (who also led the team to the finals of the 2001 FIFA Confederations' Cup and guided Japan's U-23 team to the quarterfinals of the 2000 Olympics, where they were eliminated by the U.S.).... Led by two-time Asian Player of the Year Hidetoshi Nakata of Parma.