Kirin Cup 2022/23

The Kirin Cup Soccer is an international invitational tournament organized by the Japan Football Association (JFA) and sponsored by Kirin Holdings. The event traces its origins to 1978, when it was first established under the name the Japan Cup. During its initial period, the competition featured a mix of national and club teams. A significant structural shift occurred in 1992, when the format moved exclusively to national teams while retaining the Kirin sponsorship.

For many years, the tournament operated on a round-robin group stage model without a knockout final. The winner was determined by total points accumulated during the group phase. This arrangement lasted until 2016, when the structure changed to include semi-finals, a third-place match, and a final. Historically, the event has served as a preparatory tool for the Japanese national team. It invites global opponents, including teams from South America and Africa, distinguishing its participant pool from regional championships like the EAFF E-1 Football Championship.

Japan stands out as the most successful team in the competition's history, having secured 11 titles. The tournament typically involves four national teams. Recent editions have seen participation from nations such as Chile, Japan, Tunisia, and Ghana. In 2022, the competition was won by Tunisia. The event was last held in 2022 and is scheduled to return in October 2026 with participants including Japan, Ecuador, Panama, and New Zealand.