Overview
- Japan closed their home preparations with a 1-0 win over Iceland in Tokyo on May 31 when substitute Koki Ogawa nodded in an 87th-minute cross from Yukinari Sugawara.
- Veteran Maya Yoshida made a ceremonial farewell after coming off in the 13th minute and received a guard of honour following his 127th cap; he is not part of the World Cup squad.
- Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu made his first international start in almost two years as he continues to rebuild match fitness and Wataru Endo returned after a lengthy layoff.
- Winger Kaoru Mitoma remains sidelined with a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the tournament and leaves Japan thinner on the flanks for coach Hajime Moriyasu to manage.
- Japan will depart for North America to base in Nashville ahead of Group F play against the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden with the opening match scheduled for June 14 in Arlington.