Japan and Uruguay prepare for international friendly in Miyagi

The Japan and Uruguay national football teams are set to face each other in an international friendly at Miyagi Stadium on September 24. The match marks a significant transition for both sides following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Uruguay enters this period under new leadership with Diego Forlán appointed as manager following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa. The squad faces immediate challenges, including the absence of captain Federico Valverde due to an ankle injury, which has led to the call-up of Emiliano Martínez. Additionally, the arrival of the Uruguayan squad in Japan has been severely disrupted by Typhoon 25, causing numerous flight cancellations. Only a small number of players, including Juan Rodríguez, Lucas Traoré, and Nathan Nandés, had arrived in Sendai at the time of reporting.

Japan, led by Hajime Moriyasu, is using the fixture to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup. Recent training sessions have highlighted the integration of new talent into the squad. The match is viewed as a high-level test for both nations as they rebuild their respective rosters.