Ko Itakura
板倉 滉
#4 · Defender · age 28
Most experienced center-back
81
WC26 rating
- Recent form
- 55
- Career peak
- 86
- League level
- 78
- Competition pedigree
- 67
- International pedigree
- 74
- Longevity
- 65
Independent rating — league strength (Opta-anchored) × competition tier × position-normalized output. Not affiliated with EA or FIFA.
Career by season
Source: transfermarkt · fetched 2026-05-29
Itakura is the senior figure of Japan’s back three. His ability to step into midfield in possession and play out from the back is what allows Moriyasu’s wing-back system to function, and his aerial record against Bundesliga forwards (averaging over 60% duels won across his Gladbach seasons) gives Japan a quiet edge against teams that target him with crosses.
A Group F sub-plot: Itakura plays his club football at Ajax and will face former clubmates Memphis (and Eredivisie regulars elsewhere in the Dutch squad) with very familiar tactical context.
Strengths
- Composure on the ball under press
- Aerial duels against taller forwards
- Set-piece scoring threat
Recent form
Ajax starter in 2025-26 Eredivisie; played most qualifiers.
Is one of three Japanese internationals plying their trade in the Eredivisie this season — and the only one playing for Ajax, where he is paired with countryman Tomiyasu.