Overview
- Japan, which named its 26-player roster Friday in Tokyo, left Kaoru Mitoma out after team doctors said he would not regain fitness during the tournament following a hamstring injury.
- Takumi Minamino also missed selection due to a torn ACL sustained in late December, removing another proven attacker from Moriyasu’s options.
- Takehiro Tomiyasu made the squad despite nearly two years without a Japan appearance because of injuries, with veterans Wataru Endo and 39-year-old Yuto Nagatomo also included.
- Japan will train at a base in Nashville after a May 31 friendly against Iceland, then open Group F against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington before facing Tunisia and Sweden.
- FIFA rules allow a replacement only for a serious injury up to 24 hours before Japan’s first match, which limits late changes to this injury-affected roster.