Japan national football team announces squad for Kirin Cup 2026

The Japan Football Association has announced the squad for the upcoming Kirin Challenge Cup 2026 and Kirin Cup Soccer 2026. Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, manager Hajime Moriyasu will lead the team through a series of four matches against Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, and either New Zealand or Panama.

The selection features several first-time call-ups, including Kaina Tanimura from Yokohama F. Marinos, Shuto Nakano, Kuki Matsuki, and Shunsuke Saito. Moriyasu noted that Tanimura was selected due to his high scoring rate in J1, stating he wanted to see the player who is “currently producing the most results.”

Moriyasu also addressed the squad composition, mentioning that several players currently participating in the U-21 Asian Championship were considered for the senior team but could not be called up due to the tournament schedule. Established stars such as Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, and Daizen Maeda remain central to the roster.