Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterIt ended in heartbreak. Japan failed to win a World Cup knock-out game for the first time, losing to Brazil in the sixth minute of stoppage time to go out at the round of 32 stage.A habit of losing big matches from a position of strength is an unpleasant one for Samurai Blue, but the ongoing improvement continues in spite of the brutal manner of their World Cup 2026 exit.In a squad with many bright players with big futures ahead of them, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki might be the biggest of all.Play our free match predictor and win �1kSuzuki was beaten by Casemiros header in the second half but came up with a pair of sensational saves either side of Brazils equaliser. The second, which denied Vinicius Jr one of the best goals at the World Cup, was every bit as good as the goal would have been.Gabriel Martinelli won it very late for Brazil but Suzukis story is just getting started. You may like Japan World Cup 2026 squad: Hajime Moriyasu's side to face the Netherlands Tenacious Japan rescue late draw against the Netherlands as Texas showdown lives up to the hype United States goalkeeper could become a 'world star' at 2026 World Cup, says Brad Friedel So, who is Zion Suzuki and what should you know about him?1. He was born in the state where the World Cup final will be playedUnlike the other 25 members of Japans squad, Suzuki was born outside Japan. He took his first breaths in Newark, New Jersey, the home of the three-time NHL champion New Jersey Devils.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Around 10 miles from The Rock is New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, where the World Cup final will be played on Sunday, July 19.Suzukis family moved to the Japanese city of Saitama.2. He has only played eight league matches in JapanSuzuki was raised in the former Urawa sector of Saitama and learned the game in his new home town. What to read next How to watch Japan vs Sweden for FREE How to watch Brazil vs Japan for FREE USMNT teenager Zavier Gozo on cusp of home World Cup call-up after standout MLS campaign 'The Boy's A Bit Special' The 23-year-old turned professional with the local J.League club but played only eight times in J1 for Urawa Red Diamonds. He was loaned to the Belgian side Sint-Truiden and signed for Serie A outfit Parma in 2024.His eight senior appearances for the Reds were split across two seasons and outnumbered by matches in Japans Levain Cup, the equivalent of the League Cup.3. He is a Champions League winnerDespite not being a first-team regular at Urawa, Suzuki made four appearances in the AFC Champions League in 2022.The Reds won the title for the third time and beat Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal over two legs in the final.Suzuki didnt feature in either of the final legs but received a medal and became a continental champion at 20 years of age.4. He is Parmas second Japanese playerWhen he joined the Gialloblu two years ago, Suzuki followed in the footsteps of arguably the greatest footballer ever exported by Japan.Hidetoshi Nakata, now a sake entrepreneur and still impossibly stylish, signed for Parma from Roma in 2001.Nakata went on to play for Bologna, Fiorentina and Bolton Wanderers, and played 77 times in a decade-long senior international career.5. He can become Japans most-capped goalkeeperSuzuki is bearing down on his 30th cap and doesnt turn 24 until August. He could feasibly play for his country for another decade and that way records lie.Japans most-capped goalkeeper is Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, who played 116 times for Samurai Blue before hanging up his gloves in 2010.If Suzuki is on track to catch up with the former Yokohama F. Marinos and Portsmouth stopper, the all-time caps record of Yasuhito Endo might just be out of reach at 152 not least with 146-cap defender Yuto Nagatomo still playing at 39.6. He doesnt have any competition for the number one shirtSuzuki is the most-capped goalkeeper by far in the Japanese World Cup squad.Keisuke Osaka and Tomoki Hayakawa have 15 appearances between them. Both are older than Suzuki and played for J1 big-hitters in Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Kashima Antlers, the reigning champions.There are almost no caps among the other goalkeepers called up by Hajime Moriyasu. Nagoya Grampus goalkeeper Alexandre Pisano, who has one cap at 20 years old, could still switch to Canada.7. He could have played for the United StatesAn American citizen by birth, Suzuki was eligible to play for the United States at international level. Indeed, he was reportedly tracked by US Soccer, with the governing body keen to bring him in at youth levels.Instead, he was a Japanese international by the under-15 stage and has continued to play for his mothers country ever since.Suzukis father is Ghanaian, making his son directly eligible for three national teams. Theres no obvious suggestion his intentions ever wavered.8. He spent 15 years at Urawa Red DiamondsSuzuki only played a handful of senior matches for Urawa but his association with the Reds was a long one.He joined the clubs academy set-up at six years old and remained on the clubs books until 2024, when his permanent transfer to Emilia-Romagna was sealed.He signed a five-year contract with the Italian club despite a previous agreement to stay with Sint-Truiden, where he was part of a succession of Japanese goalkeepers.9. He only played 20 times in Serie A last seasonHes well established as Parmas number one but 2025-26 wasnt the season Suzuki would have wanted in the build-up to a major international tournament.The goalkeeper fractured a bone in his hand while playing against AC Milan in November and missed four months of football. He featured in just 20 Serie A matches in what might have been his final season in Italy.10. He could be on the move this summerSuzukis name has been persistently linked with big European clubs in need of an upgrade or a refresh in the goalkeeper department. Chelsea and Manchester United have both been credited with an interest in the last couple of years.Now, its Aston Villa and Newcastle United who are reportedly keen to acquire his services.After a World Cup that delivered a string of high-quality saves to advance his reputation, his agents phone might be ringing sooner rather than later.TOPICSJapanParmaNewcastle UnitedAston VillaChris NeeChris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J.League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx.
