Overview
- Head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who unveiled the 26-player roster on Friday, said medical staff advised that Kaoru Mitoma’s hamstring would not heal in time for the tournament.
- Takumi Minamino also misses the World Cup after a torn ACL in December, with Moriyasu calling Mitoma a major presence the team will feel.
- Takehiro Tomiyasu returns after nearly two years away from the national team, joining captain Wataru Endo and 39-year-old fullback Yuto Nagatomo to anchor an experienced core.
- Japan will face the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden in Group F, opening on June 14 in Arlington, then playing June 20 in Monterrey and June 25 back in Arlington.
- The Samurai Blue play a final warm-up against Iceland on May 31 in Tokyo before relocating to a Nashville base camp, aiming to push past the round of 16 after two straight exits.