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Japan football Asian Games squad announcements

Overview

In late July 2026 the Japan Football Association announced its football squads for the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya. On July 27 a 21‑player women's roster, featuring Saori Takata, Mami Ueno and goalkeeper Akane Ooba, was named for Group E. Two days later senior men’s team manager Yuki Richard Sturm promoted a “Japan’s Way” style, and on July 30 a 23‑player U‑21 men’s roster was released. The U‑21 squad, coached by Daigo Oiwa, comprises 16 J‑League players, three university athletes and four overseas professionals – defenders Rion Ichihara (AZ, Netherlands) and Keita Kosugi (Eintracht Frankfurt), midfielder Nelson Ishiwatari (Sint‑Truiden) and forward Nwadike Uchebrian (Allbo, Denmark). No over‑age players were selected; the youngest is 18‑year‑old forward Araki Rui (Gamba Osaka). Oiwa, slated to become senior head‑coach in March 2027, referenced the recent Kumamoto earthquake and stressed the goal of developing the age group and securing Japan’s first U‑21 Asian Games title since 2010. The men will compete in Group A with Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong, opening against Hong Kong on 16 September.

Entities

Yuki Richard Sturm · Japan U-21 national football team · Japan women's national football team · Ryōku Kanō · Nelson Ishiwata

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 23 days ago

    [SPORTS] 6 sources
    Japan U-21 soccer team named for Aichi/Nagoya Asian Games

    Japan’s U‑21 soccer team, coached by Daigo Oiwa, was named with 23 players—including four Europe‑based stars—for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi/Nagoya, targeting the first title since 2010.

  2. 26 days ago

    [SPORTS] 5 sources
    Japan women's soccer team names 21-player squad for Asian Games

    Japan's women's soccer team unveiled a 21‑player squad, led by coach Ryōku Kanō, for the Asian Games in Aichi, targeting a third straight title.

Sources

football-zone.net · footballchannel.jp · gogoal.com.tw · hochi.news · news.cube-soft.jp · qoly.jp · tokyo-sports.co.jp · toyama.hokkoku.co.jp

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history