Japan captain Wataru Endo said Monday that the national team is aiming high at the upcoming World Cup, vowing to achieve something unprecedented in the country’s football history.

“We will do our best with pride and passion to achieve something that we’ve never seen before in Japan’s soccer history,” said Endo, a Liverpool defensive midfielder.

Endo and his teammates held an open training session lasting nearly an hour at GEODIS Park, home of Major League Soccer club Nashville SC, shortly after arriving in the city. Japan will begin its World Cup campaign on Sunday against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas, in Group F.

More than 5,000 fans attended the session, with supporters travelling from different parts of the United States as well as Japan to watch the team, popularly known as the Samurai Blue. The session ended with players interacting with fans and handing out small gifts.

Takuro Kaya and his son Yuhi were among those in the crowd, having driven from North Carolina to see the team. Yuhi’s favourite player is Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion, who was ruled out of the squad due to a hamstring injury, though the family was still excited to see other stars such as Junya Ito.

The father and son duo will also travel to the Dallas area to watch Japan’s matches, as they hope the team can go deep in the tournament.

“We’re so excited and motivated to come here,” Kaya said.

Japan are appearing at their eighth consecutive World Cup and are aiming to reach the knockout stage for the third straight time. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they produced major upsets by defeating Germany and Spain before being knocked out on penalties by Croatia in the round of 16.

The team experienced hot and humid conditions in Nashville following heavy thunderstorms before training. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki said the weather would not be a major concern.

“We practised in Mexico, and it was really hot,” Suzuki said. “So I think of course here in the US is also hot, but now we are getting ready for that.”