RFEF strengthens ties with Japan Football Association

Spain and Japan have a great relationship at all levels, and this trust is reflected in the world of football as well. There is a close relationship between the Spanish Football Federation and the Japan Football Association, who held a productive working meeting at the institutional office set up by the RFEF in Doha and have endorsed the collaboration agreement signed by both entities in 2020, before Thursday's decisive match in the group stage of the World Cup. Luis Rubiales and Kohzo Tashima, presidents of the RFEF and the JFA, signed the renewal in a friendly meeting in which, obviously, they spoke about that match at Al Khalifa stadium.

That handshake, the one in 2020, came in the pandemic and since then, the the two federations have collaborated to the maximum. Spain and Japan have played several friendly matches in different categories (women's teams, U-21, futsal...) and there have been several meetings to exchange knowledge in different areas: women's football, development of competitions, national teams, coaches, professionalization of refereeing...

For this new period, the intention of Spain and Japan is to continue along the same lines and even intensify this close collaboration in all the aforementioned areas, as well as to develop strategic planning, with special emphasis on the training of coaches and referees and improving digitalisation.

Tashima and Rubiales, who also spoke about the bid for the 2030 World Cup that the RFEF intends to organise together with Portugal and Ukraine, expressed their satisfaction after signing the renewal. "In the middle of the pandemic we signed this agreement and we are very happy. My friend Kohzo expressed his admiration for Spanish football, but it's mutual. We also admire Japanese football. It's crazy what football is like there and we can learn a lot," summarised the RFEF president, who is planning a tour around Asian countries to talk about the 2030 bid and, of course, Japan would be one of the destinations.

Tashima is convinced that Japan's development in football will go hand in hand with agreements such as the one with the RFEF. "It is an honour and a pleasure to sign this agreement. Spain is always at the top in men's football, as well as being world champions, and they are also very powerful in women's football. But also their referees, coaches... We have a lot to learn from the Spanish Football Federation".

After this warm meeting, which was also attended by Jorge Mowinckel (REFF Director of Institutional Relations), Rubiales and Tashima has met at Khalifa stadium, venue for the Spain-Japan match that close Group E of the World Cup. As long as the ball is on the pitch, the healthy rivalry will not be negotiated. When it is over, the two national teams will continue to work together to strengthen ties even further.