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Listen: Nashville embraces Japan’s World Cup team

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World Cup Team Japan Geodis Park Nashville
Fans come from around the country to see Japan's World Cup team, the Samurai Blue practice in Geodis Park
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Fans from around the country flew into Nashville to watch, well, not a game, but a soccer practice.

Excitement was in the air at Geodis Park on a recent 90-degree afternoon. Traditional taiko drums thundered as Japan’s World Cup team took the pitch. Nashville is the base camp for Japan’s national team, the Samurai Blue. It’s an uphill battle for any team to win the World Cup, but Japan has a shot this year. They have a reputation for upsetting big teams, beating England and Brazil in friendlies last year.

People visiting town from as far away as Austin and New York were elated to meet players like team captain Wataru Endo, the “second Messi” Takefusa Kubo and maybe the biggest star, Japan’s former player, now coach Hajime Moriyasu.

More: WPLN coverage of World Cup 2026

Listen to the excitement in the stadium and get some insight into the World Cup prospects of Japan’s Samurai Blue.

Japanese natives from around the country came to support Samurai Blue

 

Justin Barney, Music and Culture Reporter

Hi, I’m Justin. I was born in Milwaukee, WI. I started as an intern at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and worked my way up to Music Director. There I started a segment called “From the Music Desk” where I interviewed over 500 artists including Thom York, Lizzo, Steve Martin, and Phoebe Bridgers. At 88nine I also got to speak passionately about the music I love on the radio, which is a true gift and I still get to do every day. There I also made a podcast called “Backspin: The Search for Milwaukee’s First Hip-Hop Song” which I enjoyed doing more than anything else I’ve ever done and was acclaimed in The New York Times. Highlight of my life. I love music, I love people and I love a good yarn. At the end of the day my goal is to tell stories that are as good as the ones my dad tells me. I’ll tell em on the radio, in print, or next to you at the corner bar.

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