Japan's Tomiyasu Gets World Cup Lifeline with Call-Up

Japan coach Moriyasu calls up Tomiyasu

Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kento Shiogai get Japan call-ups for friendlies against Scotland and England. Can they make it to the World Cup?

Japan's injury-hit squad gets boost with Tomiyasu, Ito, and Shiogai call-ups...

Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Ajax defender and former Arsenal star, has received a World Cup lifeline with his first Japan call-up in nearly two years. He's been struggling with injuries, which led to his departure from Arsenal last July with a year left on his contract.

Tomiyasu, 27, has 42 caps for Japan and played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He'll be joining fellow injury returnee Hiroki Ito of Bayern Munich for friendlies against Scotland (March 28) and England (March 31). Wolfsburg forward Kento Shiogai, a former NEC ace, has also earned his first call-up, with Moriyasu keeping the World Cup door open for him.

🇯🇵 Takehiro Tomiyasu making an impact in his first start.

He dribbled past two defenders and helped create Ajax’s second goal tonight against Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie 🇳🇱.pic.twitter.com/Cg64wb7etB

— Samurai Warrior 🇯🇵 (@SamuraiWarriorz) March 14, 2026

Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Ajax defender and former Arsenal star, has received a World Cup lifeline with his first Japan call-up in nearly two years. He's been struggling with injuries, which led to his departure from Arsenal last July with a year left on his contract. Tomiyasu's comeback is looking promising, with coach Hajime Moriyasu praising his potential, saying, “If you think of the potential of both players, if they are in good condition then of course it would a good thing if they were playing for Japan at the World Cup.”

Tomiyasu, 27, has 42 caps for Japan and played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He'll be joining fellow injury returnee Hiroki Ito of Bayern Munich for friendlies against Scotland (March 28) and England (March 31). Wolfsburg forward Kento Shiogai, a former NEC ace, has also earned his first call-up, with Moriyasu keeping the World Cup door open for him.

“I expect their condition to improve further between now and the World Cup.”

“It has been a while since they were last called up so I want them to refamiliarise themselves with the concept of the team during these games,” he added.

Japan's drawn in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and a European qualifier for the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Tomiyasu, with 42 caps, played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is a key player for Japan.

Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Bologna in August 2021 and made 84 appearances in London before moving to Ajax in December. 

“Tomiyasu hasn't completed a full 90 minutes (for Ajax) yet but I've seen that he is capable of playing,” said Moriyasu.

Japan's squad's taken a hit with Monaco's Takumi Minamino and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo out for the March friendlies due to injuries.

Kento Shiogai Gets Maiden Japan Call-Up

Wolfsburg forward Kento Shiogai gets first Japan call-up, with coach Hajime Moriyasu keeping World Cup hopes alive.

“We are getting close to the World Cup and some might say that the time for trying things is over and we should be finalising our team,” he said.

“But in order to win the World Cup, I think we should be calling up players who have the potential to make us as good as we can be.”

Japan's 2022 World Cup run was a rollercoaster - they shocked Germany and Spain, but fell to Croatia on penalties in the last 16.