World's Oldest Football Tournament 'Emirates FA Cup' Heads to the Sacred 'Wembley Stadium connected by EE' After Trophy Tour in Japan
The English FA successfully completed the Emirates FA Cup official trophy tour 'Tokyo Takeover' in Japan. Through collaborations with baseball, sumo, and anime, it reached a wide audience. The trophy has now returned to England for the final on May 16.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 21:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 13:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 16:59 (123h 57m after Collected)
The English Football Association (The FA) held the 'Emirates FA Cup: Tokyo Takeover', the official trophy tour of the Emirates FA Cup, in Japan from Friday, March 27 to Sunday, April 5, 2026. Following the conclusion of this tour, the trophy returned to the sacred 'Wembley Stadium connected by EE', the stage for the final.
The 'Emirates FA Cup' is the world's oldest football cup competition, founded in 1871. Its iconic trophy landed in Japan for the first official trophy tour in the tournament's history, fascinating many football fans across Tokyo, Osaka, and Shizuoka.
During this period, various initiatives transcending the boundaries of sports were deployed. These included displaying the official trophy and a uniform exchange at a game hosted by the Yomiuri Giants, Japan's oldest professional baseball team, as well as a conversation with Sumo wrestler Aonishiki representing Japan's national sport. Moreover, former Japan national team player Junichi Inamoto served as an ambassador, and former national team player Tadanari Lee appeared as a special guest. The Emperor's Cup of the 'Emperor's Cup JFA All-Japan Soccer Championship Tournament', which was founded modeled after the FA Cup, was displayed alongside the FA Silver Cup—the origin of the Emperor's Cup—creating an opportunity to experience the historical connection between Japanese and English football.
Furthermore, in Shizuoka, the 'Kingdom' of Japanese football, prayers for the tournament's success were offered at a local shrine in the presence of the Mayor of Shizuoka. On Saturday, April 4, the day before the final day of the tour, a soccer clinic for children in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, and an exclusive viewing party for the FA Cup quarterfinals taking place in the UK on the same day were held. Former Japan women's national team player Mana Iwabuchi joined Inamoto and Lee at this event, greatly enlivening the venue.
In addition, a special official SNS content collaboration with the immensely popular soccer manga 'Blue Lock' (Original: Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Manga: Yusuke Nomura) was executed, drawing attention not only from soccer fans but from a broad demographic.
Through these initiatives, many visitors had the chance to view the trophy, which has etched a long history and tradition, up close, experiencing its weight, value, and the true appeal of FA Cup matches.
Following its successful event in Japan, the trophy has returned to England and will see its final match on Saturday, May 16, 2026 (UK time), at 'Wembley Stadium connected by EE', a venue that has hosted countless legendary games. Please watch the moment when new history is written on this stage of tradition and prestige, on U-NEXT.
You can watch the digest video of this tour below.
■ Comment from Olivia Buzagalo, Emirates FA Cup Trophy Tour Representative
"I am truly delighted that we were able to realize the 'Emirates FA Cup: Tokyo Takeover' trophy tour. Participating in this tour, sharing unforgettable moments alongside the historic trophy, and meeting so many wonderful people in Japan has been a precious experience for me. This trophy tour is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career so far."
■ Emirates FA Cup x Yomiuri Giants
With the cooperation of Japan's oldest professional baseball team, the 'Yomiuri Giants', a one-day special exhibition of the FA Cup was realized at Tokyo Dome. As a place where different sports cultures intersect—soccer, the traditional sport representing the UK, and baseball, which boasts national popularity in Japan—Yomiuri Giants captain Yukinori Kishida and trophy tour representative Daniel exchanged uniforms.
Captain Kishida received the uniform of Crystal Palace, the team to which Japanese national team player Daichi Kamada belongs, and commented, 'It is truly an honor. Player Kamada and I are the same age, so I want to do my best not to lose to him.' Many baseball fans gathered at the stadium and were seen taking photos with the FA Cup trophy.
■ Ozeki Aonishiki meets Emirates FA Cup
Following this, a collaboration with Sumo, Japan's national sport, took place. A special conversation was held at the Matsubara accommodation of the Ajigawa stable in Osaka Prefecture with Aonishiki, a new Ozeki from Ukraine who has made great strides in Grand Sumo and is known as a soccer fan.
The 'Emirates FA Cup' is the world's oldest football cup competition, founded in 1871. Its iconic trophy landed in Japan for the first official trophy tour in the tournament's history, fascinating many football fans across Tokyo, Osaka, and Shizuoka.
During this period, various initiatives transcending the boundaries of sports were deployed. These included displaying the official trophy and a uniform exchange at a game hosted by the Yomiuri Giants, Japan's oldest professional baseball team, as well as a conversation with Sumo wrestler Aonishiki representing Japan's national sport. Moreover, former Japan national team player Junichi Inamoto served as an ambassador, and former national team player Tadanari Lee appeared as a special guest. The Emperor's Cup of the 'Emperor's Cup JFA All-Japan Soccer Championship Tournament', which was founded modeled after the FA Cup, was displayed alongside the FA Silver Cup—the origin of the Emperor's Cup—creating an opportunity to experience the historical connection between Japanese and English football.
Furthermore, in Shizuoka, the 'Kingdom' of Japanese football, prayers for the tournament's success were offered at a local shrine in the presence of the Mayor of Shizuoka. On Saturday, April 4, the day before the final day of the tour, a soccer clinic for children in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, and an exclusive viewing party for the FA Cup quarterfinals taking place in the UK on the same day were held. Former Japan women's national team player Mana Iwabuchi joined Inamoto and Lee at this event, greatly enlivening the venue.
In addition, a special official SNS content collaboration with the immensely popular soccer manga 'Blue Lock' (Original: Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Manga: Yusuke Nomura) was executed, drawing attention not only from soccer fans but from a broad demographic.
Through these initiatives, many visitors had the chance to view the trophy, which has etched a long history and tradition, up close, experiencing its weight, value, and the true appeal of FA Cup matches.
Following its successful event in Japan, the trophy has returned to England and will see its final match on Saturday, May 16, 2026 (UK time), at 'Wembley Stadium connected by EE', a venue that has hosted countless legendary games. Please watch the moment when new history is written on this stage of tradition and prestige, on U-NEXT.
You can watch the digest video of this tour below.
■ Comment from Olivia Buzagalo, Emirates FA Cup Trophy Tour Representative
"I am truly delighted that we were able to realize the 'Emirates FA Cup: Tokyo Takeover' trophy tour. Participating in this tour, sharing unforgettable moments alongside the historic trophy, and meeting so many wonderful people in Japan has been a precious experience for me. This trophy tour is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career so far."
■ Emirates FA Cup x Yomiuri Giants
With the cooperation of Japan's oldest professional baseball team, the 'Yomiuri Giants', a one-day special exhibition of the FA Cup was realized at Tokyo Dome. As a place where different sports cultures intersect—soccer, the traditional sport representing the UK, and baseball, which boasts national popularity in Japan—Yomiuri Giants captain Yukinori Kishida and trophy tour representative Daniel exchanged uniforms.
Captain Kishida received the uniform of Crystal Palace, the team to which Japanese national team player Daichi Kamada belongs, and commented, 'It is truly an honor. Player Kamada and I are the same age, so I want to do my best not to lose to him.' Many baseball fans gathered at the stadium and were seen taking photos with the FA Cup trophy.
■ Ozeki Aonishiki meets Emirates FA Cup
Following this, a collaboration with Sumo, Japan's national sport, took place. A special conversation was held at the Matsubara accommodation of the Ajigawa stable in Osaka Prefecture with Aonishiki, a new Ozeki from Ukraine who has made great strides in Grand Sumo and is known as a soccer fan.