Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo Selected as Japan Aims to Secure 2026 World Cup Qualification

On Thursday, Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma were officially included in Japan’s squad as they aim to become the first nation to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

The dominant leaders of Asian qualifying Group C will host Bahrain in Saitama on March 20, followed by a match against Saudi Arabia at the same venue just five days later. A victory in their opening game would seal their place in the tournament.

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu unveiled a strong squad and encouraged his players to “finish the job” after achieving five wins and one draw from their six matches thus far.

“Many players are proving their worth in the J. League and Europe, and would fit seamlessly into this squad, but nothing is finalised yet,” he stated.

“What matters more than experimentation is the upcoming matches and securing our World Cup spot.”

Also featured in the 25-player roster are Daichi Kamada from Crystal Palace and Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka, alongside the prolific Celtic forward Daizen Maeda.

Moriyasu’s team has demonstrated impressive form, scoring 22 goals while conceding only two in their six games, with their only dropped points resulting from a 1-1 draw against Australia at home in October.

Japan is striving for qualification for their eighth consecutive World Cup.

The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.