Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has named a familiar-looking squad for next week’s World Cup qualifiers, with an early spot in the 2026 tournament within reach. Group C leaders Japan could secure an eighth consecutive World Cup berth with a victory over Bahrain in their Asian final-round qualifier at Saitama Stadium on March 20. A draw might also be sufficient, depending on other results.
“We’ll look to give our all, to share the joy of winning the match, and World Cup qualification, with supporters and the people of Japan,” Moriyasu said at a press conference in Chiba, near Tokyo. “Nothing is decided yet and I believe we should prioritize how we can play to our abilities to win the game right in front of us, and make sure of securing World Cup qualification.”
Regular squad members Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo were among the call-ups, while Feyenoord forward Ayase Ueda returns to the team after a period of absence. Rennes forward Kyogo Furuhashi, despite limited playing time since his January move from Celtic to Rennes, has kept his place in the squad. Bayern Munich defender Hiroki Ito has also earned a recall after recovering from a long-term injury sustained shortly after joining the German club last summer.
Japan will face Saudi Arabia on March 25, also at Saitama Stadium, in what could be a potential dead-rubber match for the hosts. However, this fixture may provide an opportunity for Moriyasu to experiment with new players. National team director Masakuni Yamamoto emphasized that all results are important for FIFA rankings, which will influence the seeding for the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Moriyasu also hinted that there could be further call-ups after the weekend, as he named 25 players for the qualifiers, instead of the usual 27.
