Shuto Machino at FIFA World Cup 2026
Borussia Mönchengladbach
Primary
Striker
Others
Attacking Midfielder, Second Striker
Shuto Machino gives Japan another true centre-forward option in the 2026 phase because he can lead the line, finish in the box, and still support second-phase attacks.
The Borussia Mönchengladbach striker enters the World Cup picture with Bundesliga minutes, a strong scoring record from earlier club stops, and useful depth value for Japan's front line.
Quick Answer
Shūto Machino is a 26-year-old Japan forward for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
He is primarily used as a striker, with cover across attacking midfielder, second striker.
His current club contract runs through June 2029.
His reported weekly salary is €43,462 (est.), and his estimated net worth is Financial analysis pending.
Team Overview
Machino matters because Japan need more than one central striker profile in tournament football.
He gives the squad direct penalty-area presence and a different feel from the more pressing-heavy or wide-origin attacking options around him.
Early Life and Background
Machino was born in Iga, Mie, and came through FC Nakase SS, FC Avenida Sol, and Riseisha High School before earning his move to Yokohama F. Marinos.
Those years shaped him as a central attacker with a stronger physical edge than many technical-only youth forwards, which later helped him settle into senior football quickly.
Shuto Machino Personal Info and Profile
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Shūto Machino |
| Date of birth | 30 September 1999 |
| Age | 26 |
| Nationality | Japan |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 78 kg |
| Position | Striker |
| Preferred foot | Both |
| Current club | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| Contract end | June 2029 |
| Transfer value | €7M |
| Jersey number | 18 |
| Weekly salary | €43,462 (est.) |
| Estimated net worth | Financial analysis pending |
Shuto Machino Club Career
After failing to break into the Yokohama first team, Machino rebuilt his career through Giravanz Kitakyushu, where he scored 15 league goals across 2019 and 2020.
Shonan Bellmare then gave him a bigger J1 platform, and his 2022 season brought 13 league goals, a place in Japan's World Cup squad, and much more serious attention around his future.
Holstein Kiel moved quickly in 2023, and he repaid that faith by scoring 16 league goals across two seasons, including 11 in the Bundesliga in 2024/25.
Borussia Mönchengladbach signed Machino in July 2025 on a contract through June 2029 after paying a reported fee of around €8 million to Holstein Kiel.
His first Bundesliga months in Mönchengladbach have been more stop-start than his Kiel run, but he still forced his way into the scoring column and kept his place in Japan's striker conversation.
That matters for Japan because he now brings top-flight German experience instead of arriving only from lower-pressure domestic football.
Shuto Machino - Stats and Performance
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | Yokohama F. Marinos | League play | 0 | 0 |
| 2019-2020 | Giravanz Kitakyushu | League play | 62 | 15 |
| 2021-2023 | Shonan Bellmare | League play | 80 | 24 |
| 2023-2025 | Holstein Kiel | League play | 63 | 16 |
| 2025-26 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | League play | 27 | 3 |
| Career Total | League play | 232 | 58 |
Machino's value is built around direct striker actions, because his game becomes strongest when he can stay close to goal and finish quickly.
International Career
Machino made his senior Japan debut in 2022 and has reached 14 caps with 5 goals, which is a useful return for a striker who has not always been a guaranteed starter.
He was called into the 2022 World Cup squad as an injury replacement and later starred in the EAFF E-1 Championship, where he finished as top scorer and helped Japan win the title.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 2022– | 14 | 5 |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| EAFF Championship | 1 | (2022) |
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| EAFF Championship top scorer | 1 | (2022) |
Transfer News and Market Value
The biggest 2026 Machino story is his move to Borussia Mönchengladbach, which pushed him into a tougher role and a more demanding scoring environment.
That transfer matters more than headline hype because his long-term value is now tied to proving he can score consistently in the Bundesliga.
Shuto Machino Salary and Net Worth
Capology lists Shuto Machino at an estimated €43,462 gross per week at Borussia Mönchengladbach, which works out to roughly €2.26 million gross per year, but those figures should still be treated as estimates rather than club-confirmed payroll reporting.
The firmer public markers are his Mönchengladbach contract through June 2029, the reported €8 million move from Holstein Kiel, and his current €7M market value in the 2026 phase.
Shuto Machino 2026 Style, Strengths, and Tournament Outlook
Machino's biggest tournament strength is that he offers Japan a specialist striker profile rather than a winger adapted to play centrally.
The challenge is converting limited chances against stronger World Cup opponents, especially when he may have to make a big impact from the bench.
Even so, he remains a useful attacking option in Japan's 2026 player pool.
