Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu named the 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in Tokyo on May 15, 2026. The list includes former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has not played for nearly two years because of injuries, but currently plays for Ajax after ending his Arsenal contract last year [1, 2, 3, 4].
Tomiyasu last appeared for Japan in a World Cup qualifier against Syria on June 11, 2024 [1, 2, 4]. The squad also features Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo and veteran fullback Yuto Nagatomo, who is 39 years old [1, 2, 4].
Notable absences include Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, 28, who was left out after sustaining a hamstring injury in early May 2026 during Brighton’s 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers [1, 2, 3, 4]. Moriyasu said, "The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament." Mitoma’s injury ruled him unlikely to recover in time for the World Cup [3, 4].
Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also missed out after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in December 2025 [3, 4].
Japan will play in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden. Their opening match is against the Netherlands on June 14 in Dallas/Arlington, Texas, followed by games against Tunisia on June 20 and Sweden on June 25 [1, 2, 4].
This will be Moriyasu’s second World Cup as head coach. Japan reached the round of 16 in both 2018 and 2022, losing to Belgium and Croatia, respectively [1, 2, 4].
The team will base their training at the Nashville SC Training Center in Tennessee and is set to play a final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland on May 31, 2026 [4].
