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See the full story · 1 sourcesWhat makes FC Tokyo so special
Soccer in the Heart of a Global City
With a population of around 37 million, the Tokyo metropolitan area is one of the largest metropolitan regions in the world. In the heart of this cosmopolitan city, FC Tokyo has established itself as one of the most popular soccer clubs in Japan. The club plays its home games at Ajinomoto Stadium, which seats just under 50,000 spectators. On match days, the club’s blue-and-red colors dominate the cityscape around the stadium and have earned the club the nickname “Aoaka” (Japanese for blue-red). For this friendly match, however, the fourth-place team in the one-time transitional league “J1 100 Year Vision League” will host BVB at the National Stadium. One week after the match, FC Tokyo will kick off the new J1 League season against FC Machida Zelvia.
Former Inter players are the biggest names
On the field, FC Tokyo has continued to develop steadily in recent years since returning to the J1 League in 2012. Time and again, the club has produced players who later became mainstays of the Japanese national team or made the leap to Europe. The most prominent example is Takefusa Kubo. The attacking player once transferred from FC Tokyo to Real Madrid and is now one of the best attacking players in the Spanish league while playing for Real Sociedad. He has already played more than 230 games in La Liga.
Among FC Tokyo’s best-known players today are Brazilian striker Marcelo Ryan, homegrown talent Kota Tawaratsumida, and winger Kein Sato. The 25-year-old ventured abroad to play for Werder Bremen, but was unable to establish himself at Osterdeich in 2024 and eventually returned to his home country. Sei Muroya transferred from FC Tokyo to Hannover 96 in 2020 and played there for two years alongside Maxi Beier. He returned to Tokyo in the summer of 2025.
Another particularly big name in Japanese soccer is Yuto Nagatomo, who, at 39, is the oldest player on the team. The left back has 146 senior international caps to his name and can look back on a distinguished career in Europe’s top leagues. He played for Inter Milan and Galatasaray, among others, and won several major titles during his time at those clubs. Nagatomo remains one of the country’s most famous soccer players to this day.
Under head coach Rikizo Matsuhashi, FC Tokyo ranks among the strongest teams in the J1 League. The Blue-and-Reds rely on bold possession-based soccer, fast-paced build-up play, and the strategic integration of their own young talents.
By the way: Since its founding 28 years ago, FC Tokyo has taken a different path than many of its competitors in Japanese soccer. Instead of fanciful names or a club mascot, the capital city club emphasizes a down-to-earth and authentic image.
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