The buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing together voices from both sports and music, including Japanese soccer player Ryo Miyaichi and Sota Nakajima of FANTASTICS.
In a new conversation tied to the global tournament, the two discussed how soccer and live performance share a similar kind of pressure. Both depend on preparation, timing, energy, and the ability to respond to a crowd in real time.
Miyaichi spoke from the perspective of an athlete who understands how fans can affect the mood of a match. Nakajima approached the topic as a performer, where the connection with an audience can shape the feeling of a show.
