2022 FIFA World Cup: Japan is the first to announce The final squad.
Hajime Moriyasu announces his 26 men for the World Cup in Qatar.
Japan was the first nation to announce their final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament, to be held in Qatar between 20 November and 18 December 2022.
Hajime Moriyasu’s men are in group E accompanied by Costa Rica, Germany and Spain. the Japanese coach decided to reveal his 26 men that will be at Qatar to defy the odds in such a tough group includes two former World Cup Winners.
The squad reflects the flourish of Japanese players in Europe, with 20 of the 26 belonging to European clubs and just six belonging to the domestic clubs.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt), Takumi Minamino (Monaco) and Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) were the most notable names in the Samurai Blue squad, besides the Captain, Maya Yoshida (Schalke 04) and the most capped player in the current squad, Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo).
Just six of the current squad participated in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, including goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, defenders Yuto Nagatomo, Maya Yoshida and Hiroki Sakai, and midfielders Wataru Endo and Gaku Shibasaki. Nagatomo (137) and Yoshida (121) are the only players with over 100 international appearances
The notable omissions were Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi and Vissel Kobe forward Yuya Osako.
Japan will play the first match in 23 November against Germany. then in 27 November against Costa Rica, and the final match will be against Spain in the first of December.
