Tomiyasu is included in Japan’s World Cup squad as Moriyasu announces the team
Takehiro Tomiyasu, the former Arsenal defender, has been named in Japan’s World Cup squad by head coach Hajime Moriyasu, even though he has not played for the ‘Samurai Blue’ in nearly two years due to a string of injuries.
The central defender, currently with Ajax after his contract was mutually annulled with Arsenal last year, was named in the 26-man squad revealed by the coach in Tokyo on Friday.
Tomiyasu last represented Japan in a match against Syria in 2024 and was named in the squad for the March international window but later withdrew. Moriyasu indicated that he would likely have the opportunity to play against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31.
“While he hasn’t participated in official matches lately due to tactical considerations, our medical team has assured … that his condition is perfectly fine,” coach Moriyasu informed reporters. “Additionally, the friendly against Iceland presents him with another chance to prepare in a high-intensity match and further improve his condition as we approach the World Cup. “That is the reason we chose him.
Additionally chosen were Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, who has faced a season plagued by injuries, and 39-year-old fullback Yuto Nagatomo, who earns the opportunity to participate in his fifth World Cup.
“He has resumed working with the ball and is approaching a condition suitable for match play,” Moriyasu stated regarding Endo. “He is a key player in this team.” Certainly, I anticipate his contributions on the field … but I also look for him to provide mental and emotional support to the team.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Kaoru Mitoma was unable to participate due to a hamstring injury incurred against Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month. “Following Mitoma’s injury, we received a medical report indicating that it would be challenging for him to return during the tournament,” Moriyasu stated.
“In light of that, we decided against selecting him. My primary focus was, thereafter, determining how to adjust the squad.”
Japan advanced to the round of 16 in the last two World Cups, facing defeat against Belgium in 2018 and losing to Croatia in a penalty shootout in Qatar four years later.
Moriyasu, who will be leading the team into his second World Cup as coach, expressed that selecting the squad was a challenging task. “There are still many players who possess the ability to compete and win on the world stage for Japan,” he stated. “So I genuinely feel apologetic about not being able to select them—in fact, not just a little apologetic, but profoundly apologetic. I believe I have selected the optimal 26 players for Japan to achieve victory on the world stage at this moment.
Japan will begin their eighth appearance at the World Cup finals against the Netherlands in Dallas on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia on June 20 and Sweden on June 25 in their remaining Group F fixtures.
Team:
Goalkeepers – Zion Suzuki, Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnoske Suzuki
Midfielders/Forwards – Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Koki Ogawa, Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan, Ayase Ueda, Ao Tanaka, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Yuito Suzuki, Kento Shoigai, Keisuke Goto
