PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daichi Kamada |
| Date of Birth | 5 August 1996 (Age: 29) |
| Place of Birth | Ehime, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 1.80–1.84 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 72–76 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Central Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #18 (Crystal Palace), #18 (Japan) |
| Current Club | Crystal Palace |
| Previous Clubs | Sagan Tosu, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio |
| International Caps | 32+ |
| International Goals | 10+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | June 2027 |
| Market Value | €9.6M |
The Frozen Moment
Toulouse, France. June 16, 2026. The Netherlands and Japan were locked in a tense World Cup group-stage opener, and the Dutch had twice taken the lead through Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville. With two minutes left on the clock, Japan pushed for an equaliser.
Daichi Kamada, the 29-year-old attacking midfielder, had been in the right place all night. In the 88th minute, the ball came to him almost accidentally. He diverted it with the top of his head while trying to get out of its path. The slight deflection was enough to wrong-foot the Dutch goalkeeper and secure a 2-2 draw. It was his first World Cup goal.
Four days later, Kamada did it again. In Japan’s 4-0 demolition of Tunisia, he scored after just four minutes—Japan’s fastest-ever World Cup goal, breaking Shinji Kagawa’s record from 2018. He added a second in the same match, becoming only the second Japanese player to score in consecutive World Cup matches, following Junichi Inamoto in 2002.
Kamada finished the tournament with two goals in four appearances, starting every match and accumulating 329 minutes. Japan advanced to the knockout rounds before falling to Brazil in the Round of 32. But Kamada’s World Cup campaign—and the records he set—cemented his legacy as one of Japan’s greatest-ever players on the global stage.
Origins
Daichi Kamada was born on 5 August 1996 in Ehime, Japan. His football journey began in his homeland, where he attended Higashiyama High School. In 2013, as captain and main striker, he scored 22 goals in 18 matches in the Prince Takamado Cup, leading his team to promotion to the Super League.
In 2015, at 18 years old, he signed for J1 League side Sagan Tosu. Under manager Masashi Morishita, Kamada was converted from a striker to an attacking midfielder—a position that would define his professional career. He scored his first J1 League goal on 10 May 2015 against Matsumoto Yamaga with a spectacular volley on his debut.
The European Forge
Eintracht Frankfurt (2017-2023):
In June 2017, Kamada made the move to European football, signing for Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. His time in Germany was transformative. He won the DFB-Pokal in the 2017-18 season, and later became a key figure in Frankfurt’s midfield, making 127 Bundesliga appearances. He helped Frankfurt win the UEFA Europa League in the 2021-22 season.
Lazio (2023-2024):
In August 2023, Kamada joined Italian Serie A side Lazio on a free transfer. He scored and assisted against Napoli and Juventus during his time at the club.
Crystal Palace (2024-Present):
In July 2024, Kamada signed for Premier League side Crystal Palace on a free transfer. He helped Palace win the FA Cup in the 2024-25 season and the Community Shield in 2025. In the 2025-26 Premier League season, he made 28 appearances (22 starts), playing 1,902 minutes. While he did not register a goal or assist in the league, his 1.27 expected goals (xG) and 2.60 expected assists (xA) suggest he was creating chances. He also featured in the Europa Conference League (14 appearances, 1,003 minutes) and the EFL Cup. He earned a reported salary of €9,048,000, and his market value is estimated at €9.6M.
International Career
Senior Debut & Rise:
Kamada made his senior debut for Japan in March 2019. He quickly established himself as a key figure in the national team setup, representing Japan at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2026 tournament in North America. In 2023, he was named in the IFFHS Asian Team of the Year and the JPFA Best XI.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
Kamada was named in Hajime Moriyasu’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He started all four of Japan’s matches, accumulating 329 minutes.
Against the Netherlands, he scored a late equaliser in the 88th minute to secure a 2-2 draw. Against Tunisia, he scored after just four minutes—Japan’s fastest-ever World Cup goal—and added a second, becoming only the second Japanese player to score in consecutive World Cup matches. He also started against Sweden and Brazil, earning a yellow card in the latter.
Kamada recorded 2 goals, 3 shots, 2 shots on target, 1 tackle won, and 1 interception across the tournament. Japan advanced to the Round of 32 before falling to Brazil.
International Record:
Kamada has earned more than 32 caps for Japan and scored more than 10 international goals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Kamada is a right-footed attacking midfielder defined by his technical ability, vision, and versatility. At 1.80–1.84 metres, he combines physical presence with technical quality.
In Possession:
Kamada is a creative force in midfield. In the 2025-26 Premier League season, he recorded 19 shots, 4 on target, with an expected goals (xG) of 1.27 and expected assists (xA) of 2.60. Across his career, he has scored 82 goals and accumulated 47 assists in 422 matches. At the World Cup, his shot accuracy was 100%, with both of his shots on target finding the net.
Out of Possession:
Kamada contributes defensively with his work rate. In the 2025-26 Premier League season, he received 3 yellow cards in 28 appearances. At the World Cup, he recorded 3 tackles won, 1 interception, and 1 foul committed.
Psychological Edge:
Kamada’s World Cup performances demonstrated his ability to deliver on the biggest stage. His records—consecutive World Cup goals and Japan’s fastest-ever World Cup goal—reflect a player who thrives under pressure.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Shots | Shots on Target | Tackles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 4 | 329 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
TABLE B: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (Crystal Palace)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | xG | xA | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 28 | 22 | 1,902 | 0 | 0 | 1.27 | 2.60 | 3 |
| Europa Conference League | 14 | 11 | 1,003 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| EFL Cup | 2 | 2 | 180 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| Community Shield | 1 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
TABLE C: Career Overview
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 422 |
| Goals | 82 |
| Assists | 47 |
| Bundesliga Appearances | 127 |
TABLE D: Major Honours
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| DFB-Pokal | 2017-18 (Eintracht Frankfurt) |
| UEFA Europa League | 2021-22 (Eintracht Frankfurt) |
| FA Cup | 2024-25 (Crystal Palace) |
| FA Community Shield | 2025 (Crystal Palace) |
| IFFHS Asian Team of the Year | 2023 |
| JPFA Best XI | 2023 |
| World Cup Goalscorer | 2026 (2 goals) |
What these figures reveal is a player who has consistently performed at the highest levels of European and international football. His 422 club appearances and 82 goals reflect a career of sustained output. His World Cup campaign—2 goals in 4 appearances—demonstrates his ability to perform on the global stage. His market value of €9.6M and his FA Cup and Europa League titles reflect his standing as one of Japan’s most successful European exports.
The Present Tense
Daichi Kamada is 29 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a midfielder for Crystal Palace in the Premier League and a key player for the Japanese national team.
The Crystal Palace Story:
Kamada joined Crystal Palace in July 2024 and has been an important part of the squad. In the 2025-26 season, he made 28 Premier League appearances, playing 1,902 minutes. He also featured in the Europa Conference League, making 14 appearances. His contract with Palace runs until June 2027. He helped the club win the FA Cup in 2024-25 and the Community Shield in 2025.
The World Cup Campaign:
Kamada was a standout performer for Japan at the 2026 World Cup, scoring two goals in four appearances. He scored the late equaliser against the Netherlands and scored twice against Tunisia, becoming only the second Japanese player to score in consecutive World Cup matches. Japan advanced to the knockout rounds before falling to Brazil.
International Record:
Kamada has earned 32+ caps for Japan and scored 10+ international goals. He has represented Japan at two World Cups (2022, 2026).
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Kamada is defined by his journey from Japan’s high school football system to the summit of European and international football. He was converted from a striker to an attacking midfielder at Sagan Tosu, a decision that shaped his professional career. His move to Europe in 2017 began a decade of success across Germany, Italy, and England.
His 2024-25 FA Cup and Community Shield wins with Crystal Palace added to his trophy collection. His World Cup performances—particularly his record-breaking goals—have cemented his legacy in Japanese football history.
The Verdict from the Camp
FIFA Official Article:
“Daichi Kamada also scored against the Netherlands in the opening game, becoming only the second Japanese player to score in consecutive World Cup matches, following Junichi Inamoto in 2002. Kamada recorded Japan’s fastest-ever World Cup goal, finding the net after just four minutes.”
“Kamada became only the second player in the history of the Japanese national team to score in both of their opening matches at the World Cup.”
Where Next?
Daichi Kamada is 29 years old and under contract with Crystal Palace until June 2027. His Premier League season was defined by creative output despite a lack of goals—his 1.27 xG and 2.60 xA suggest he was creating chances. His World Cup performances have elevated his profile significantly. His market value is estimated at €9.6M.
For Japan, Kamada is a key figure. His World Cup campaign—two goals in four matches, including record-breaking performances—has proven his ability on the biggest stage. At 29, he is expected to remain a central figure for the Blue Samurai in the coming years.
From Ehime to Sagan Tosu, from Frankfurt to Lazio, from Crystal Palace to the World Cup, Daichi Kamada’s journey is a story of transformation, determination, and extraordinary achievement. The boy who was converted from striker to midfielder is now a World Cup record-breaker—and one of Japan’s greatest-ever players on the global stage.
