Celebrate a defining moment in Japanese football history with the Japan 1998 Goalkeeper Retro Football Jersey. Created for the era of Japan's first FIFA World Cup appearance, this remarkable long-sleeved design represents the national team's arrival on football's biggest international stage. At France 1998, Japan competed against Argentina, Croatia and Jamaica under head coach Takeshi Okada. Although the team exited after three narrow defeats, its participation marked the beginning of a new chapter for Japanese football and established the foundation for future international progress.
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was the central figure associated with Japan's goalkeeping position during the tournament. Wearing number 20, the 22-year-old started all three World Cup matches and played every minute, conceding four goals across the competition. His teammates included captain Masami Ihara, emerging midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, creative playmaker Hiroshi Nanami and forward Masashi Nakayama, who scored Japan's first World Cup goal against Jamaica. Fellow goalkeepers Nobuyuki Kojima and Seigo Narazaki completed the tournament's goalkeeping group.
The jersey features an extraordinary bright-green base decorated with oversized flame-inspired graphics in red, yellow, white and blue. Flowing patterns extend across the chest, shoulders and long sleeves, creating a striking visual identity associated with Japan's experimental late-1990s football designs. A black crew-neck collar and matching sleeve cuffs provide contrast, while the Japanese national team crest sits on the upper chest. Its vibrant colours, dramatic flame motifs and unmistakable 1990s styling make this goalkeeper shirt a distinctive collector's piece celebrating Japan's historic World Cup debut.
Please refer to the size guidance on this product page for detailed measurements.
Japan 1998 Goalkeeper Jersey
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Size Guidance (Retro Jersey)
Size Chest (in) Length (in) Rec. Height (ft/in) Rec. Weight (lb) S 39 28 65–67 121–132 M 41 28 67–69 132–154 L 43 29 69–71 154–176 XL 44 30 71–75 176–198 XXL 46 31 75–79 198–220 Note: All sizes are for reference only. Manual measurement may result in an error of ±1 inch.
IN BETWEEN SIZES?
That's easier said than done. Because what do you do if you are in between two sizes?
Well, that's up to you. Do you like a tight fit? Go for the smaller size. Loving a loose fit? Go for the larger size.
TOP FIT
If your body measurements for chest and waist result in two different suggested sizes, order the size from your chest measurement.
Season Information
Information
Details
Season/Year
1998
Team
Japan National Football Team
Country
Japan
Competition
1998 FIFA World Cup – France
Tournament Result
Group Stage – 4th in Group H
Tournament Record
3 matches, 0 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses
World Cup Results
Argentina 1–0 Japan; Japan 0–1 Croatia; Japan 1–2 Jamaica
Head Coach
Takeshi Okada
Starting Goalkeeper
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi – No. 20
Other Goalkeepers
Nobuyuki Kojima – No. 1; Seigo Narazaki – No. 21
Key Players
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Hidetoshi Nakata, Masami Ihara, Hiroshi Nanami, Masashi Nakayama
Kit Type
Goalkeeper – Long Sleeve, Green
Primary Colour
Bright green
Accent Colours
Red, yellow, white, blue and black
Design
Multicoloured flame graphics with black collar and cuffs
Historical Significance
Japan's first FIFA World Cup appearance and Kawaguchi's debut World Cup tournament
The 1998 FIFA World Cup marked a historic milestone as Japan participated in the tournament for the first time. Under head coach Takeshi Okada, the national team faced Argentina, Croatia and Jamaica in France, losing three closely contested group matches. Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi started all three games, playing the full 270 minutes and establishing himself as Japan's first-choice goalkeeper on the world stage. Despite elimination in the group stage, the tournament represented a defining moment in Japanese football history, beginning a continuous run of World Cup appearances.
Rec. Player Printing Options
For this 1998 Japan goalkeeper jersey, traditional World Cup-style numbering is recommended. The three goalkeepers' official tournament numbers are verified, with Kawaguchi's No. 20 providing the strongest historical connection. Number-only printing is also suitable for a period-authentic appearance.
Best Printing Choice: KAWAGUCHI 20
Other Strong Options: NARAZAKI 21 / KOJIMA 1
Printing
Recommendation
KAWAGUCHI 20
Japan's starting goalkeeper throughout the 1998 World Cup, playing every minute against Argentina, Croatia and Jamaica. The definitive choice for this historic goalkeeper jersey.
NARAZAKI 21
Seigo Narazaki was the youngest goalkeeper in Japan's 1998 World Cup squad. Although he did not play in the tournament, he subsequently became one of Japan's most prominent international goalkeepers.
KOJIMA 1
Veteran goalkeeper Nobuyuki Kojima was part of Japan's inaugural World Cup squad. His number 1 offers a distinctive alternative celebrating the experience within the goalkeeping group.
DETAILED RECOMMENDATION
We recommend KAWAGUCHI 20 as the best printing choice for the Japan 1998 Goalkeeper Jersey. Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi was Japan's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper during the nation's historic World Cup debut, starting all three group matches and completing 270 minutes against Argentina, Croatia and Jamaica. His performances and long association with the national team make his name and number the most meaningful combination for this distinctive design.
NARAZAKI 21 is a strong alternative, representing a young goalkeeper who later enjoyed an extensive international career. KOJIMA 1 offers a more unusual choice associated with Japan's experienced tournament squad.
For historical authenticity and collector appeal, KAWAGUCHI 20 remains the preferred recommendation.
