Ayase Ueda targets Netherlands after Golden Boot season, eyes 2026 World Cup
In brief
- Ayase Ueda won 2025-26 Eredivisie Golden Boot with 25 goals for Feyenoord, leading by 8 goals
- Japan drawn against host Netherlands in 2026 World Cup group stage
- Ueda pledged to score decisive goal against Dutch fans who supported him at Feyenoord
Dominant Eredivisie campaign
Ueda's scoring prowess came early and often. Through his first 15 league matches of the 2025-26 season, he had already bagged 18 goals, establishing himself as an unstoppable force. One standout moment came on December 6, 2025, when Ueda scored four times in a commanding 6-1 demolition of PEC Zwolle. Across all competitions during the 2025-26 season, Ueda tallied 26 goals in 40 appearances for Feyenoord.
Under coach Robin van Persie, Ueda has flourished in the Eredivisie since transferring to Feyenoord in August 2023. His path to Europe wasn't direct. Ueda originally honed his skills at Hosei University before making his mark in the J-League, then had a stint at Cercle Brugge that paved the way for his move to Rotterdam.
From underdog to World Cup contender
Building on his limited playing time in the 2022 World Cup, Ueda has emerged as Japan's primary attacking threat heading into the 2026 tournament. His dominant season has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, with Brighton among those reportedly monitoring his situation.
The narrative twist is stark. Ueda spent a full season demolishing Eredivisie defenses in front of Dutch crowds who embraced him. Now he'll face those same fans on football's grandest stage. The stakes are personal and national. Japan's hopes rest partly on whether Ueda can replicate his club form when it matters most, and whether the Netherlands can contain the striker who just dismantled their domestic league.
