Concacaf Partners With Blue Lock Manga

Japanese publishing house Kodansha that is behind the manga and anime titles, is collaborating with Concacaf for a first-of-its-kind series featuring manga and anime series Blue Lock.

Blue Lock follows the journey of Japan’s top strikers as they battle in a high-stakes training programme to become the ultimate forward.
This is Concacaf’s first partnership with a Japanese Manga (Comic) and Anime (Animated Series).

It will give fans across the Concacaf region exclusive original content, limited-edition merchandise, and crossover activations that blend the intensity of international football with the storytelling power of Japanese animation.

“This is a thrilling moment for us,” said Yohei Takami, Managing Director, Global Business Development Division of Kodansha.

“Blue Lock has already captured the hearts of anime and sports fans alike, and partnering with Concacaf allows us to reach an even wider audience in a way that’s never been done before. It’s more than a marketing collaboration—it’s a cultural exchange between the worlds of anime and international football.”

Launching in mid-2025 and running through 2026 leading up to the World Cup, the multi-phase collaboration will include special events during Concacaf tournaments’ limited edition Blue Lock/Concacaf merchandise, and Cross-platform campaigns across anime, manga, and football fan communities.

“This collaboration with Kodansha and Blue Lock is a unique and innovative way to engage new generations of football fans in our region,” said Philippe Moggio, Concacaf General Secretary. “Anime is a powerful storytelling medium, and this project helps us build bridges between communities, cultures, and fans through the shared love of the game.”

Insideworldfootball.com