World Cup 2026 form
| Match | Min | Rating | G | A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs Netherlands | — | — | 0 | 0 | |
| vs Tunisia | 90 | 7.9 | 0 | 1 | |
| vs Sweden | 39 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 |
Ko Itakura is Japan's most authoritative central defender, a left-footed ball-playing centre-back who became a Bundesliga regular at Borussia Mönchengladbach after loan stints at Groningen and Schalke sharpened his European edge. His move to Ajax in 2025 underlines his standing as one of Asia's finest defenders. Composed under pressure and aggressive in the press, Itakura is the defensive anchor around whom Japan's backline is organised. His ability to carry the ball out from deep and execute long switches makes him integral to Japan's positional game, and he captains the national side with quiet authority.
Yokohama, Japan · 1997-01-27
Career
Ajax2025 – present
Borussia Mönchengladbach2022 – 2024
FC Schalke 042021
Groningen2018 – 2020
Kawasaki Frontale2015 – 2017Frequently asked questions
How old is Ko Itakura?
Ko Itakura is 29 years old (born 1997-01-27).
What club does Ko Itakura play for?
Ko Itakura plays for Ajax and represents Japan.
What position does Ko Itakura play?
Ko Itakura plays as a Defender, wearing #4.
How has Ko Itakura performed at the 2026 World Cup?
Ko Itakura has 3 appearances, 0 goals and 1 assist at an average rating of 7.45 at the 2026 World Cup.