[Survey of 200 Soccer Fans] Ranking of Japanese National Team Players for FIFA World Cup 2026 Who Seem Likely to Hire a Personal Driver!

Which Japanese national team players seem likely to hire a personal driver?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

While players chase the ball with full effort on the pitch, their daily private lives are hard to imagine. With a slightly unique angle, what kind of image do fans have of which players hiring a personal driver?

So this time, in collaboration with Transact Co., Ltd., we conducted a survey targeting 200 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "like soccer" about which Japanese national team players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup they think would hire a personal driver.

*When citing the content of this press release, please comply with the following:

- Indicate that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Transact Co., Ltd." - Include a link to Transact Co., Ltd. (https://transact.co.jp/)

Survey Overview: "Survey on Japanese National Team Players Who Seem to Hire a Personal Driver"

Survey method: Internet questionnaire

Survey period: May 29, 2026 to June 4, 2026

Target: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "like soccer"

Valid responses: 200 samples

Questions:

Question 1: Choose one Japanese national team player for the 2026 FIFA World Cup who you think "seems to hire a personal driver."

Question 2: Please tell us the reason for choosing that player.

Ranking of Japanese National Team Players Who Seem to Hire a Personal Driver!

◆1st Place: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo) 76 votes

Comments from respondents:

- Because he's the most veteran on the list. (20s, female) - Because he's a famous player, he might use one for transportation. (30s, female) - He's often in the media, so his travel and schedule management seem busy. (30s, male) - He looks rich. (30s, male) - Because conversation would be lively. (30s, male)

The first place went to Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo).

The most prominent reason was "because he's a veteran." The image of an experienced player who has been active at the top for a long time may lead to an image of a reliable adult with room to spare.

Also, there were comments focusing on his busyness, such as "he's often in the media, so his travel and schedule management seem busy." His active presence not only in matches but also in various scenes seems to have reminded people of a personal driver role.

◆2nd Place: Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt / Germany) 29 votes

Comments from respondents:

- I have an image of him being picked up and dropped off by a luxury car with a personal driver. (30s, male) - He seems to spend money on his private life. (40s, male) - He's refreshing and cool. (40s, male) - He looks like he's sitting in the back of a limousine. (40s, male) - I saw him hiring many people in a commercial. (40s, female)

Second place was Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt / Germany).

Comments like "image of being picked up by a luxury car" and "looks like sitting in the back of a limousine" stood out as they imagined specific scenes. His active career overseas probably leads to imagining a glamorous private life.

Evaluations of his appearance, such as "refreshing and cool," also contributed, and an image of smart behavior seems to have gained votes.

◆3rd Place: Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad / Spain) 26 votes

Comments from respondents:

- Because his performance has been good recently. (20s, male) - He's been overseas for a long time, so he seems used to it. (40s, female) - Because his annual income seems high. (40s, male) - He seems highly conscious, so he probably hires experts for non-soccer errands. (40s, male) - He seems to manage non-soccer matters rationally. (40s, male)

Third place went to Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad / Spain).

Comments focusing on his stoic impression, such as "he seems to manage non-soccer matters rationally" and "he probably hires experts to handle things," were noticeable.

There were also voices suggesting that because he has played overseas from a young age, "he's been overseas for a long time, so he seems used to it." His thorough self-management as a professional seems to have led to the image of a personal driver role.

◆Tied 4th Place: Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax / Netherlands) 9 votes

Comments from respondents:

- He seems to have money. (40s, male) - A cool player. (50s, male) - A key defender and reassuring. (60s, male) - Because he's large, the back seat suits him better than the driver's seat. (60s, male) - He's big and seems serious. (70s, male)

Fourth place was tied with Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax / Netherlands).

The unique comment "because he's large, the back seat suits him better than the driver's seat" was impressive, focusing on his imposing physique.

Many comments also reflected his stability on the pitch and honest personality, such as "a key defender and reassuring" and "he seems serious."

◆Tied 4th Place: Wataru Endo (Liverpool FC / England) 9 votes

Comments from respondents:

- Because he seems to be earning money. (40s, male) - He wants to recover from injury quickly, so he doesn't overdo it. (40s, female) - I think he's an active player in soccer matches too. (50s, female) - He's cool. (60s, male) - Because he's the captain. (60s, male)

Also tied for fourth place was Wataru Endo (Liverpool FC / England).

Comments focusing on his leadership presence, such as "because he's the captain," were prominent. His calmness as a leader seems to connect to a reliable image.

There was also a warm comment concerned for the player: "He wants to recover from injury quickly, so he doesn't overdo it."

◆6th to 10th Places

From here, we will announce 6th to 10th places along with some reasons.

6th Place: Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) 8 votes

- Because his income is increasing and he's in great shape. (40s, male) - Because he looks rich. (60s, female)

Tied 7th Place: Yuki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers) 6 votes

- Because he has a high professional awareness and seems to make effective use of travel time. (40s, female)

Tied 7th Place: Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace / England) 6 votes

- Because he earns the most among Japanese players. (40s, male) - Because he has an income of over 1.1 billion yen. (60s, male)

Tied 7th Place: Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims / France) 6 votes

- Because he's cool. (30s, male) - Because he's handsome. (50s, male)

Tied 10th Place: Daizen Maeda (Celtic / Scotland) 5 votes

(Details of reasons omitted)