Sanrio unveils upcoming collaboration merchandise collection for the Japan World Cup
Sanrio and the Japan Football Association have recently unveiled an exciting collaboration that will delight fans of both adorable characters and competitive sports. The “Sanrio Characters x Japan National Football Team” collection features a delightful assortment of merchandise designed to support the Japan National Football Team in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 event. Scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this prestigious tournament is eagerly anticipated by football enthusiasts worldwide.
The Japan National Football Team, affectionately known as “Samurai Blue,” is renowned for representing the nation in international competitions and boasts a substantial global fanbase. To celebrate their participation in this high-profile event, the national team has joined forces with various anime series and pop culture icons in a bid to amp up their support.
A particularly exciting collaboration with the popular anime series My Hero Academia has resulted in the release of exclusive character jerseys featuring five beloved heroes, such as Deku and Bakugo, each emblazoned with their unique names and numbers. Likewise, the renowned One Piece franchise has produced a special video showing support for the team, culminating in the football squad receiving customized blue straw hats inspired by an illustration created by series creator Eiichiro Oda, depicting Monkey D. Luffy sporting the official team uniform alongside a signature straw hat.
In addition to these inspired partnerships, celebrated Japanese singer Ado has teamed up with adidas to launch a special 2026 home replica jersey featuring her iconic blue rose motif on the front and a character portrait on the reverse side. To amplify the team spirit, Ado lends her enchanting vocals to the official uniform song “Kira,” composed by Tatsuya Kitani.
Renowned for their incredibly cute and globally beloved characters, Sanrio has integrated some of their iconic mascots into the official “Samurai Blue” uniform to help enthusiastic supporters root for the national team. The extensive “Sanrio Characters x Japan National Football Team” collection offers a wide array of items ranging from plush mascots to functional pass cases, clear file folders, notebooks, keychains, memo pads, postcards, stickers, mugs, hand towels, tote bags, and more.
The majority of the collection is set to launch on June 12, 2026, with the “Plush Toy S-Size” arriving slightly later on June 19. Fans can find physical sales of this enchanting collaboration at the “JFA STORE” pop-up space located at Tokyo Character Street’s Ichiban Plaza, situated on the B1 floor of Tokyo Station First Avenue. Operating from Friday, June 12, to Thursday, June 25, 2026, with daily hours ranging from 10:00 JST to 20:30 JST, except on the final day when sales conclude at 18:00 JST.
For those unable to visit the physical store, the entire impressive lineup will be available for purchase online via the Tokyo Character Street Online Plaza, commencing at 10:00 JST on Friday, June 12, 2026. Fans and collectors alike can look forward to acquiring these delightful merchandise offerings to show their love and support for the Japan National Football Team in style and with a touch of irresistible cuteness.