New Delhi, June 15 -- The three Japan goalkeepers stepped onto the AT&T Stadium pitch and bowed to the crowd during warm-ups. Zion Suzuki, the 23-year-old starter, waved to fans before beginning his goal-kick routine. Hours later, he lined up between the posts as Japan faced the Netherlands in their opening Group F match at the FIFA World Cup 2026. For many supporters, it was their first close look at the USA-born shot-stopper who has quickly become Japan's number one.

Zion Suzuki was born on August 21, 2002, in Newark, New Jersey. His father is from Ghana, and his mother is Japanese. The family moved to Japan when he was young and settled in Urawa, Saitama. He was named after Mount Zion and started playing football in kindergarten. By e...