Overview
- Japan arrived in Nashville on Monday and conducted a light, open training at GEODIS Park in front of roughly 5,000 fans who came from across the U.S. and Japan.
- Captain Wataru Endo told supporters the team has very high expectations and wants to achieve results the country has not seen at past World Cups.
- Coaches used a five-day heat-acclimatization camp in Monterrey before traveling to Nashville to simulate tournament conditions and refine tactics.
- Injured striker Takumi Minamino has joined the group in a mentoring role while Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was left off the squad with a hamstring injury; Takehiro Tomiyasu says he feels fit after recent recovery work.
- Japan will open Group F on Sunday against the Netherlands in Arlington, then return to Monterrey for the Tunisia game on June 20 and finish the group stage against Sweden in Dallas on June 25 as it chases a first-ever World Cup quarterfinal place.