【Blue Lock U-20 WC Analysis】Can Japan Win? An In-Depth Prediction of Future Arcs & The Ending!

The U-20 World Cup Arc of the mega-hit soccer manga [Blue Lock] is reaching a fever pitch! Amidst all the hype, are any of you wondering:

“Can Japan actually win the tournament?” “Will Blue Lock end with the U-20 World Cup Arc?”

In this article, I’ll be [Predicting & Analyzing the future developments of the U-20 World Cup]!

　

　

　

　

★ Here’s what we’ll cover about the [U-20 World Cup] in this article!!　↓↓↓

　

　

　

◆ Introduction

Hi there! I’m 『Yukidaruma』, the admin of this site! My goal is to build the “World’s Best Blue Lock Site,” and I’m pouring my absolute “Ego” into every single article I write!!

I mainly cover the latest chapters, volumes, deep-dive theories, character profiles, and detailed reviews—and I’ve already crossed the 300-article milestone!!

　

　

　

① The Story So Far

The Blue Lock Project has finally entered its third phase: The all-new “U-20 World Cup Arc” is officially underway!!

The U-20 World Cup is a global tournament where only players under the age of 20 can compete. Representing Japan are the 23 Egoists who survived the brutal second phase, the “Neo-Egoist League”!!

This tournament also features the international rivals of the same generation who fought alongside and against them in the Neo-Egoist League. This means our favorite players will now face their former allies as ultimate rivals on the world stage?!

　

　

　

② Can Japan Win the Tournament?

To jump straight to the conclusion: I believe they “cannot win.” In fact, I even suspect that “getting eliminated in the group stage is a real possibility.”

Why do I think that? I have three main reasons:

Let’s break them down one by one. ↓↓↓

　

　

▼ It is not the “Final Phase”

The U-20 World Cup is depicted in the story as “Phase Three.”

Logically speaking, if the manga were to end with the U-20 World Cup Arc, it would be labeled as the “Final Phase.”

Take a look at the final page of Chapter 300 ↓↓↓

Source: 【Blue Lock】(Story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Art by Yusuke Nomura / Kodansha) — Cited for review purposes.

It clearly says “NEXT PHASE U-20 WORLD CUP,” right?

In other words, while the chance of this being the final phase isn’t absolute zero, it’s highly unlikely. If Japan wins this U-20 World Cup, the narrative “sense of achievement and satisfaction” would be massive, risking a major drop in hype for any subsequent arcs.

• “Wait, they won, but it’s still going…?”
• “It’s dragging on and getting repetitive…”

Many readers would likely feel this way. However, if Japan fails to win and moves on to the next phase, it creates a strong sense of anticipation and support from the readers: “They tasted bitter defeat, so I want them to win it all next time!”

　

　

　

▼ Unresolved Plot Threads (Foreshadowing)

If the story were to end with the U-20 World Cup Arc, there are still too many foreshadowed elements that need to be addressed.

• A showdown with Noel Noa
• The true definition of the “World’s Best Striker” (1 out of 300)
• …and many more!

Currently, the “World’s Best Striker” is Noel Noa, but due to age restrictions, he cannot participate in the U-20 World Cup, meaning a direct confrontation is impossible.

Source: 【Blue Lock】(Story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Art by Yusuke Nomura / Kodansha) — Cited for review purposes.

If he joined as an “Over-age quota” player, ending it with a direct showdown would make sense. But since they didn’t go with that setup, it’s safe to say the author has no intention of ending the story just yet, right??

Furthermore, the core premise of Blue Lock—“giving birth to the World’s Best Striker from 300 forwards”—remains vague. “What logic will be used to determine the ‘World’s Best Striker’?”

• If they become the top scorer of the World Cup?
• If they win Player of the Year?

Since the exact “Goal” (the definition of the world’s best striker) isn’t clear, we still don’t know how it will ultimately be decided. The fact that it hasn’t been clarified at this stage suggests that Jinpachi Ego has no intention of finalizing his “World’s Best Striker” during this U-20 World Cup.

　

　

　

▼ The Ruthlessness of [Blue Lock]

Blue Lock is a masterpiece that thoroughly portrays reality. While there are acrobatic shots, genuinely “superhuman/fantasy plays” are surprisingly rare. Everything is grounded in solid theory, making the plays imaginable even in the real world.

It values realism that much, and it ruthlessly drills the harsh realities of soccer into its characters. Among those moments, the “Elimination of Seishiro Nagi” was incredibly real and cruel…

Nagi is both a genius soccer player and an insanely popular character, holding massive importance in the Blue Lock universe. There aren’t many works brave enough to showcase the “cruelty” and “realism” of eliminating such a key player.

Furthermore, the “Elimination of Gurimu Igarashi (Igaguri)” was also highly realistic. Igarashi was by no means a great player. To put it bluntly, everyone saw him as a ‘fodder character,’ yet he somehow kept surviving. Of course, he made his own efforts, acquired a weapon, and challenged the world. However, he was slammed with the reality that “that level isn’t enough to fight on the world stage” and was “Eliminated.”

In a way, many readers probably thought, “He’s going to somehow survive until the end, right?” but the author actually dropped him. Because Blue Lock never shies away from portraying reality and cruelty, I have a feeling this U-20 World Cup will thrust the reality upon them: “You can’t conquer the world that easily.”

　

　

　

③ U-20 World Cup Ending (Prediction)

Based on the information above, I’ll share my personal prediction for the “Ending of the U-20 World Cup.”

My prediction: “Japan fails to win the tournament, and Jinpachi Ego gets fired.”

In Chapter 303, behind the scenes of the U-20 World Cup opening ceremony, Hirotoshi Buratsuta tells Jinpachi Ego: “If you don’t win the championship, you’re fired, you dream-chasing barbarian.” ↓↓↓

Source: 【Blue Lock】(Story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Art by Yusuke Nomura / Kodansha) — Cited for review purposes.

I read this scene as major foreshadowing, predicting a storyline where “Japan fails to win, and Ego-san is forced to leave Blue Lock.” After that, a new manager brought in by Buratsuta leads the Japan National Team, but things fall apart. They eventually have to call Jinpachi Ego back, transitioning into the actual World Cup Arc (Phase Final).

However, exactly how far Japan will advance in this U-20 World Cup is a tricky question… Currently, the Group Stage Match 3 (Japan vs. France) is underway. Honestly, I don’t think Japan can win this match. It’s highly likely that their final group match against England will be a do-or-die battle to advance to the knockout stage.

But England is an incredibly tough opponent! In the previous France vs. England match, although France won 2-1, it was a fiercely close game! Considering England fought neck-and-neck against tournament favorites France, they definitely have heavy hitters. Japan’s chances of winning aren’t exceptionally high.

Since Japan won their first match against Nigeria 4-0, they have a solid goal difference advantage. While I want to believe “advancing past the group stage is guaranteed,” a group stage elimination is still a very real possibility.

Meanwhile, Buratsuta’s [SIDE-B] project is running in the background. Surely they’ll survive the group stage just to reach the point where Sae Itoshi + 2 others join the squad, right? Sae Itoshi seems to have some history with Vanni Iglesias as well. Setting up a Japan vs. Spain clash in the knockout stage—only for Japan to lose, setting up an epic revenge match in the actual World Cup Arc—would be an insanely hyped development!

　

　

　

◆ Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading until the very end!! Knowing that you all are reading my articles gives me incredible motivation!

I’m going to keep pumping out articles until this becomes the actual “World’s Best Blue Lock Site,” so please continue to show your support! Let’s do this! (‘◇’)ゞ