Former Celtic free-kick specialist Shunsuke Nakamura will join Japan’s World Cup coaching staff, the Japan Football Association (JFA) announced on Thursday.
The former midfielder was known for his set-piece skill and scored a memorable curling free-kick against Manchester United in the Champions League.
The JFA said Nakamura would join coach Hajime Moriyasu’s backroom staff for the World Cup, where Japan is drawn in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.
“I have been thinking a lot about the impact my involvement could have at this crucial stage, with the World Cup final just around the corner,” said the 47-year-old.
“But after receiving a passionate and encouraging message from Moriyasu, I decided to accept it.”
Nakamura won 98 caps for Japan, scoring 24 goals and played at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
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He joined Celtic from Italian side Reggina in 2005 and went on to win three Scottish league titles during his four seasons in Glasgow.
He retired in 2022 and became an assistant coach at Japanese side Yokohama FC.
“I am determined to share the same vision as the Japanese players as they compete on the world stage, and I will do everything I can to help them achieve their goals,” Nakamura said.
Published on April 16, 2026
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