# Japan national football team international preparations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japan-national-football-team-international-preparations > Updated: 2026-09-28T14:32:09.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 7. The Japan national football team continued its international preparations under manager Hajime Moriyasu, marked by significant individual milestones and roster instability. During a 3-1 victory against Uruguay, striker Kento Shiobayashi scored his first goal for the national team, securing the win in first-half stoppage time following a combination with Ayase Ueda. This performance stands in contrast to Shiobayashi’s recent club struggles at VfL Wolfsburg following their relegation to the second division. In a subsequent match against Venezuela, Japan secured a 2-1 comeback victory. Ayase Ueda scored both goals for Japan, including a decisive late penalty following a foul on Takefusa Kubo. The penalty decision sparked controversy, with Venezuela manager Oswaldo Viscardo expressing dissatisfaction, claiming a penalty should have been awarded to his side. However, local Venezuelan influencers supported the VAR decision, noting the incident occurred during the ‘Attacking Possession Phase (APP)’. Manager Moriyasu also used the fixture to experiment with long throw-ins as a potential offensive weapon, featuring players such as Yuki Soma and Shuto Nakano. Ahead of the Kirin Cup 2026, the squad faces further roster changes due to injuries to defenders Ando Tomoya and Watanabe Go. In response, Moriyasu has called up Henry Maximilian Mochizuki and Hayato Araki. The senior team is scheduled to face Ecuador in the opening match of the Kirin Cup 2026 on October 1 at Yokohama International General Stadium, with the match set to be broadcast on the TBS network and streamed via TVer. ## Claims - The squad will compete in four matches scheduled for September and October 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The team will face Uruguay on September 24 in Miyagi. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The team will face Venezuela on September 28 in Hiroshima. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The team will face Ecuador on October 1 in Yokohama. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The team will play an opponent to be determined on October 5 at the National Stadium. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Four players—Kaina Tanimura, Shuto Nakano, Kury Matsuki, and Shunsuke Saito—received their first senior national team call-ups. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The match took place on September 24, 2026, at Q&A Stadium Miyagi. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Matsuki Kuki scored a goal in the 11th minute of the first half. (corroborated by 2 sources) - This match marked Matsuki Kuki's debut for the Japan national team. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Diego Forlan is the interim manager of the Uruguay national team. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The match was the first game under Hajime Moriyasu's third term as manager. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino were excluded from the squad due to injury. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-28: Kento Shiobayashi scores first Japan national team goal Kento Shiobayashi scored his first goal for the Japan national team in a 3-1 win over Uruguay, despite recent scoring struggles and relegation with his club, VfL Wolfsburg. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kento-shiobayashi-scores-first-japan-national-team-goal ### 2026-09-24: Japan national football team defeats Uruguay 3-1 Japan defeated Uruguay 3-1 in an international friendly, highlighted by a debut goal from Kuki Matsuki and the simultaneous starting of the Sano brothers as the team prepares for upcoming matches. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-national-football-team-defeats-uruguay-3-1 ### 2026-09-22: Japan national football team defeats Uruguay 3-1 Japan defeated Uruguay 3-1 in a Kirin Challenge Cup friendly, highlighted by a debut goal from Kuki Matsuki and late strikes from Ayase Ueda and Kento Shioya. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-national-football-team-announces-squad-numbers-for-2026-series ### 2026-09-18: Japan national football team to face Brazil in Singapore tournament Japan's national football team will face Brazil and Paraguay in the Mizuho Blue Challenge in Singapore this November, with matches to be broadcast on TV Asahi and streamed on U-NEXT. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-national-football-team-to-face-brazil-in-singapore-tournament ### 2026-09-17: Japan national football team announces 31-man squad for upcoming friendlies Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has named a 31-man squad for four international friendlies in September and October, featuring four new players as the team prepares for the 2027 Asian Cup. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-national-football-team-announces-31-player-squad-for-upcoming-international-series ### 2026-09-14: Japan national football team prepares for upcoming international series Japan's national football team prepares for upcoming international fixtures, including a scheduled November 2026 match against Brazil in Singapore, amid discussions regarding squad selection and tactical shifts 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-national-football-team-prepares-for-upcoming-international-series ### 2026-09-05: Japan national football team faces roster changes and upcoming Brazil rematch Japan's national football team faces potential goalkeeper changes, while players Daichi Kamata and Ao Tanaka saw Premier League goals disallowed by VAR. Japan will face Brazil in November. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-national-football-team-faces-roster-changes-and-upcoming-brazil-rematch --- Cite as: Japan national football team international preparations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japan-national-football-team-international-preparations