Summary

Ao Tanaka (Japan), Midfielder, 38 caps, 8 international goals, model: 2.9% to score anytime at WC 2026

Odds insightEstablished player

Ao Tanaka

#22 Midfielder Leeds United FC (ENG) Japan

Ao Tanaka is a 28-year-old midfielder for Leeds United FC (ENG) and Japan. He has earned 38 caps and 8 international goals for Japan. Our model puts Japan's title chance at 1% with a 80% shot at clearing the group stage at World Cup 2026. Ao has collected 6 career honours, making him one of the most decorated players at this tournament.

38 Caps

8 Goals

2 Season goals

0 Assists

6.85 Form rating

Age28Height1.77 m (5 ft 8 in)Weight163 lbsMarket value€12.1M

View next match prediction See Japan team page

Betting Relevance

Anytime scorer angle Low

High shots volume Above average

Tournament form Steady

100% Independent Model-driven probabilities No manufactured edges

Ao Tanaka · the model’s read

Ao Tanaka brings 38 caps and 8 international goals for Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, lining up as a midfielder. At club level they play for Leeds United FC (ENG). That record is the base the model weighs alongside current form and the strength of the group.

The model rates Tanaka's anytime-goalscoring probability at 2.9% at this tournament — a long shot read. That comes from an expected 0.04 goal contributions (xG + xA) over the projected minutes. Like every probability on the site, it is a long-run likelihood, not a guarantee that a goal arrives in any one match.

Ao Tanaka: World Cup 2026 Form

How Ao has rated match-by-match at World Cup 2026.

7.4

Avg rating 1 game · WC 2026

7.4

Last match vs Sweden

7.4

vs Sweden

90 min

Ao Tanaka: Tournament Form vs Career Baseline

Per-90 output at World Cup 2026 (1 game) alongside the career baseline (60 matches on record), so you can read current form against the track record.

World Cup 2026 7.4

Career baseline 6.9

1 Shotsper 90 min 1.16

— Shots on targetper 90 min 0.35

1 Key passesper 90 min 1.02

3 Tacklesper 90 min 2.32

1 Interceptionsper 90 min 1.44

8 Ball recoveriesper 90 min 6.04

93 Touchesper 90 min 74

At World Cup 2026, Ao is rating 7.4 — above his 6.9 career baseline.

Japan Squad

Full squad

Ao is part of a Japan squad heading to World Cup 2026 in Group F.

Yūto Nagatomo Defender 0.66 Tackles / 90

Junya Itō Midfielder 2.69 Key passes / 90

Ritsu Dōan Midfielder 1.25 Key passes / 90

Daichi Kamada Midfielder 1.17 Key passes / 90

Takefusa Kubo Midfielder 2.65 Key passes / 90

Takehiro Tomiyasu Defender 1 Tackles / 90

Ao Tanaka: Career History

Club career, most recent first.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

2021 - 2022

Japan U23

2019 - 2021

Kawasaki Frontale

2017 - 2022

Honours

The major titles and individual awards, grouped by competition.

6 TOTAL HONOURS

BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENTS

3× Japanese J-League 1 2017, 2018, 2020

1× English Championship 2024-2025

1× Japanese Emperors Cup 2020

HONOURS SNAPSHOT

1 League Titles

2 Cup Competitions

0 International

0 Individual Awards

League Titles 1

3× Japanese J-League 1
201720182020

Cup Competitions 2

1× English Championship
2024-2025
1× Japanese Emperors Cup
2020

Career Milestones

Key landmarks from Ao's career.

1 LandmarksTop career moments

1 ClubsAcross top leagues

6 AchievementsMajor honours

FIFA World Cup Player Of The Match Japan ·

FIFA World Cup

Award

Ao Tanaka: Quick Facts

#22Shirt number

28Age

1.77 m (5 ft 8 in)Height

163 lbsWeight

Kawasaki, JapanBirthplace

Leeds United FC (ENG)Club

Part of the Japan squad at World Cup 2026

Japan team page

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Frequently Asked Questions

What position does Ao Tanaka play?

Ao Tanaka plays as a Midfielder for Leeds United FC (ENG). At World Cup 2026 they represent Japan.

How many caps does Ao Tanaka have?

Ao Tanaka has 38 international caps for Japan, with 8 international goals.

What trophies has Ao Tanaka won?

Ao Tanaka has won 6 career honours. Notable titles include Japanese J-League 1 (x3), English Championship (x1), Japanese Emperors Cup (x1).

What is Japan's chance of winning World Cup 2026?

Our model puts Japan at 1% to win World Cup 2026 and 80% to advance from the group stage.

Which group is Japan in at World Cup 2026?

Japan are in Group F at World Cup 2026, facing Netherlands, Tunisia, Sweden.