Japan Names 26-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup

May 16, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan announced its 26-man squad on May 15th for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with several key selections drawing attention as injuries continue to affect the national team ahead of the tournament.

Captain Wataru Endo and defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, whose fitness conditions had been closely monitored, were both included in the squad by head coach Hajime Moriyasu.

Meanwhile, winger Kaoru Mitoma, regarded as one of Japan’s leading attacking players, was left out after suffering an injury shortly before the announcement. Moriyasu explained that a return in time for the tournament would be “difficult,” effectively ending Mitoma’s hopes of participating in the World Cup.

Veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo was also selected, marking his record-breaking appearance in Japan’s World Cup squad as the most selected individual player in the nation’s history.

The Japan Football Association held the official squad announcement in Tokyo, where Moriyasu outlined the reasoning behind the final selections while emphasizing the need to balance experience, tactical flexibility and player condition ahead of the competition.

Japan is scheduled to play its final match before the tournament on May 31st as preparations intensify for the World Cup opener.

GK
Tomoki Hayakawa / Keisuke Osako / Zion Suzuki

DF
Yuto Nagatomo / Shogo Taniguchi / Ko Itakura
Tsuyoshi Watanabe / Takehiro Tomiyasu / Hiroki Ito
Ayumu Seko / Yukinari Sugawara / Junnosuke Suzuki

MF/FW
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 Shiogai / Keisuke Goto

Source: Kyodo

Toyota to Launch Self-Driving Taxis in 2027

Toyota Motor will begin operating fully autonomous taxis in 2027 through a partnership with U.S. self-driving technology company Waymo, marking a major step in the Japanese automaker's efforts to expand driverless transportation services.

Mount Fuji Puts on First Snowcap

Mount Fuji has received its first snowcap of the season, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on October 30, after temperatures at the summit plunged to minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, marking the arrival of winter conditions on Japan's highest mountain.

Chinese Female Spy Suspected of Targeting Nvidia Chief

U.S. intelligence agencies suspect that a Chinese female intelligence operative developed a close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in an attempt to obtain confidential corporate and U.S. government information, according to a report published by The New York Times on October 29th.

Japan Blocks Websites Leaking GMO Personal Data

The Japanese government has asked major telecommunications operators to forcibly block access to websites believed to contain personal information stolen in a cyberattack on GMO, it emerged on October 29th, as authorities moved to prevent further exposure of sensitive data online.

Typhoon No. 31 Heads Toward Japan's Remote Islands

Typhoon No. 31 was located near Minamitorishima Island in the Pacific Ocean, as of 3 a.m. on October 30, and was expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo over the October 31-November 1 weekend while maintaining very strong intensity, bringing a growing risk of dangerously high waves, powerful swells and extremely rough seas.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Sports NEWS

Controversial Penalty Decision Ends Tokyo High School Soccer Match

A controversial penalty shootout decision during the Tokyo qualifiers for Japan's National High School Soccer Championship on October 24 has sparked debate after a team that believed it had secured victory was forced to continue playing and eventually lost, raising questions about whether a hole in the goal net contributed to an incorrect ruling.

Japan's Pillow Wars Become Competitive Team Sport

Pillow fighting, once a familiar pastime on Japanese school trips, has evolved into a competitive team sport, with players dressed in traditional yukata competing on tatami mats under unusual rules that include a call of "The teacher is coming!" to freeze opponents for 10 seconds.

Arashifuji Earns First Promotion to Sumo's Top Division

Fukuoka-born sumo wrestler Arashifuji has earned his first promotion to the top makuuchi division ahead of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, which opens on November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center, according to the latest rankings released by the Japan Sumo Association on October 26.

Three National Anthem Mix-Ups at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games

Three national anthem mix-ups occurred on the same day at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, with Iran's anthem mistakenly played during medal ceremonies for Chinese Taipei and Mongolia, while South Korea's anthem was played instead of China's before a women's sitting volleyball match.

Japan Sports Weekend: Baseball, Football, Golf...

Japan's sporting weekend was dominated by the completion of professional baseball's postseason, with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars securing a remarkable sweep of the Central League champions Hanshin Tigers and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks advancing from the Pacific League.

Top 5 B.League players to watch this season

Japanese basketball continues to improve year after year. Strong financial backing and steadily growing fan interest have turned the B.League into one of Asia’s most exciting competitions.

Japan Women's Soccer Team Suffers Comeback Defeat to Germany

Japan's women's national soccer team, Nadeshiko Japan, suffered a 2-1 comeback defeat to Germany in an international friendly in Bremen on October 13, despite taking an early lead through Momoko Tanikawa.

34-Time National Sumo Champion Continues to Challenge Younger Rivals

Miku Yamanaka, a 32-year-old veteran of women's sumo who has claimed 34 national titles, continues to compete against younger rivals while balancing work and training, demonstrating remarkable determination as she battles through injuries in pursuit of further success at the All-Japan Women's Sumo Championships.

< 2 3 4 5 >