Home FIFA 2026 WORLD CUP WORLD CUP Japan World Cup 2026: Tomiyasu In, Mitoma Out as Squad Revealed

Japan World Cup 2026: Tomiyasu In, Mitoma Out as Squad Revealed

Read
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu named in Japan World Cup squad

Takehiro Tomiyasu returns to Japan’s squad for the World Cup after nearly two years out, while Kaoru Mitoma misses out with a hamstring injury.


Moriyasu said selecting the squad was tough as Japan aim to reach the knockout stage for a third straight World Cup...


Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu made Japan’s World Cup squad even though he hasn’t played for the Samurai Blue in nearly two years due to injury. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu called him up for the tournament.


Tomiyasu now plays for Ajax after leaving Arsenal by mutual consent last year. He was named in the 26-man squad that Moriyasu announced in Tokyo on Friday.


The 26-year-old last featured for Japan against Syria in 2024. He was originally in the squad for March’s internationals but withdrew. Moriyasu said he could get minutes in the May 31 friendly against Iceland in Tokyo.


“Although he has not appeared in official matches ‌recently for tactical reasons, our medical staff have confirmed ... that there are no issues with his condition,” coach Moriyasu told reporters.


“There is also the friendly against Iceland, which gives him another opportunity to prepare in a ‌high-intensity match and continue raising his condition heading into the ⁠World Cup. That is why we selected him.”


Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo was also named despite an injury-plagued season, and 39-year-old full-back Yuto Nagatomo made the squad with a shot at his fifth World Cup.


“He has begun working with the ball again ... and is reaching a condition where he can play in matches,” Moriyasu said of Endo.


“He is a central figure in this team. Of course I expect him to contribute in terms of play ... but I also expect him to support ⁠the team mentally and emotionally.“


Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Kaoru Mitoma missed out after picking up a hamstring injury against Wolves earlier this month.


“After Mitoma's injury, we received a medical report saying that it would be difficult for him to return during the tournament itself,” Moriyasu added.


“Based on that, we ‌gave up on selecting him .. Deciding how to adjust the squad after that was my biggest final consideration.”


Japan made it to the round of 16 at the last two World Cups, falling to Belgium in 2018 and losing to Croatia on penalties in Qatar in 2022.


Moriyasu, who’s set to coach Japan at his second World Cup, said picking the final squad was a difficult call.


“There are still many players who have the ability to compete and win on the world stage for Japan,” he said.


“So I honestly feel apologetic about not being able to select them - actually, not just a little apologetic, but deeply apologetic.


“(But) I feel that ‌I have chosen the best 26 players for Japan to win on the world stage right now.”


Japan will open their eighth World Cup appearance against the Netherlands in Dallas on June 14. They round out Group F with games against Tunisia on June 20 and Sweden on June 25.


Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki (Parma), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers), Keisuke Osako (Hiroshima)

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junnosuke Suzuki (FC Kopenhagen)

Midfielders/Forwards: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Koki ⁠Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), ⁠Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Keito Nakamura (Stade Reims), Kaishu Sano (Mainz), Takefusa ‌Kubo (Real Sociedad), Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg), Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden)



Tags :

No comments:

Leave comment here

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.