Collective success rarely results from improvisation: the Japanese national team at the 2026 World Cup

Alberto Mudjadju"

The scene of the Japanese coach holding up numbered boards during the World Cup drew a lot of attention because it symbolizes something deeply associated with Japanese organizational culture: discipline, meticulous preparation, and rigorous execution of instructions. During the game, the Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu used boards with numbers to convey tactical instructions to the players. This is suspected to correspond to previously practiced game systems, movements, or plays, allowing the team to change strategy without revealing the instructions to their opponents. From a sociological and cultural point of view, this practice reflects traditional Japanese values: Shudan Ishiki (collective consciousness), the group is placed above the individual; Kaizen, continuous improvement through repetitive training; Discipline and functional obedience, each player knows the meaning of the codes in advance and executes the task without the need for lengthy explanations; Advance planning, dozens of scenarios are practiced before the competition, some observations indicated numbers reaching 45, suggesting a vast tactical repertoire prepared beforehand. The idea that societies that value organization, preparation, and collective responsibility tend to achieve better results can be observed in various contexts, such as in sports, where the Japanese national football team is a clear example. Players rigorously follow the tactical plans defined by the coaching staff, allowing for: better coordination among athletes; fewer individual errors; greater adaptability during the game; and consistent performance against stronger opponents. Advantages can also be seen in education, where countries like Japan, South Korea, and Finland invest heavily in school discipline, pedagogical planning, and collective commitment to learning, resulting in high levels of literacy and academic performance. In economics, Japan's post-war reconstruction demonstrates how national organization, collective work, and social responsibility can transform a devastated country into one of the world's largest economies. Collective spirit also aids in crisis management, as the Japanese population is frequently cited for its orderly response to emergencies during natural disasters. Cooperation between citizens, institutions, and authorities reduces losses and accelerates recovery. From a sociological perspective, Émile Durkheim argued that social cohesion strengthens society because it creates shared norms and a sense of belonging. When individuals understand that they are part of a larger whole, they tend to act more responsibly and cooperatively. In Mozambique, these concepts can be applied in areas such as: community development; combating crime; civic education; organized agriculture; municipal management; and preventing violent extremism. When communities, public institutions, and citizens work towards common goals, planning, and shared responsibility, the likelihood of achieving sustainable development and social cohesion increases. Therefore, the lesson left by the Japanese team is not only sporting; it shows that collective success rarely results from improvisation, but from a combination of preparation, discipline, mutual trust, and commitment to common goals. These qualities can strengthen both a football team and an entire nation. Applying the principles of organization, preparation, and collective responsibility in Mozambique requires a change involving the State, communities, schools, businesses, and citizens. The objective should not be to copy the Japanese model, but to adapt its lessons to the Mozambican reality. First, strengthen the planning culture, paying more attention to the tendency for immediate responses and structural problems, requiring: defining clear development goals for each district and municipality; regularly monitoring results; rewarding institutions that achieve the established objectives; and ensuring the continuity of projects beyond political cycles. Next, invest in citizenship education, where development depends not only on infrastructure but also on social behaviors; schools can reinforce: discipline; social responsibility; work culture; respect for public property; and community volunteering. Third, transform the community into a partner in development, because many problems can be solved when communities participate directly, for example: protecting schools and health centers; combating illegal energy connections; maintaining roads and water sources; and preventing crime and violent extremism. Another equally important component is valuing merit and competence. Mozambique can invest more in technical and vocational education; support innovation and youth entrepreneurship; strengthen the training of public servants; and promote merit-based criteria in public and private management. Fifthly, sustainable development requires local initiative, as it is important to: encourage agricultural cooperatives; support small and medium-sized enterprises; promote savings and investment; and value national production, because a country's wealth grows when its citizens produce more than they consume. Strengthening collective responsibility is important because one of the lessons from the Japanese experience is that each citizen must understand that their actions affect the whole society. In Mozambique, this means: not destroying public property; not practicing corruption; fulfilling tax obligations; participating in community actions; and respecting laws and institutions. Finally, creating a common national vision, where development becomes faster when there is a shared collective objective, a vision based on: national unity; peace and security; industrialization; modernization of agriculture; empowering youth; and preserving Mozambican cultural identity. In short, the main barriers to development in Mozambique (poverty, unemployment, corruption, low productivity, regional inequalities, and insufficient public services) will not be overcome simply with more financial resources; they require a culture of discipline, organization, planning, and collective responsibility. Just as the Japanese national team can change strategy in seconds because everyone knows their role, Mozambique can accelerate its development when institutions and citizens work in a coordinated manner, with clear objectives, mutual trust, and commitment to the common good. This is one of the great lessons that sport offers for building a more prosperous and cohesive nation.

2025/12/3