Former Arsenal defender back in the fold for friendlies ahead of Qatar 2026.
Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has been handed a World Cup lifeline after being recalled to the Japan national team for the first time in nearly two years. The 27-year-old will feature in upcoming friendlies against Scotland in Glasgow on March 28 and England at Wembley on March 31.
Tomiyasu struggled with injuries during his time at Arsenal and mutually agreed to leave the club in July 2025 with 12 months remaining on his contract to focus on rehabilitation. He joined Ajax in December and returned to action in January, marking his first appearance since October 2024.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu expressed confidence in Tomiyasu’s potential:
“If you think of the potential of both players, if they are in good condition, then of course it would be a good thing if they were playing for Japan at the World Cup.”
The friendlies will help Tomiyasu and fellow injury returnee Hiroki Ito of Bayern Munich refamiliarise themselves with the team ahead of the tournament. Moriyasu added:
“It has been a while since they were last called up, so I want them to refamiliarise themselves with the concept of the team during these games.”
Tomiyasu has 42 caps for Japan and featured in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite not yet completing a full 90 minutes for Ajax, Moriyasu remains confident in his ability:
“Tomiyasu hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes yet, but I’ve seen that he is capable of playing.”
Japan, drawn in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and a European qualifier, are preparing for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With injuries to Monaco’s Takumi Minamino and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo, Moriyasu emphasized the importance of bringing in players with potential to strengthen the squad:
“We are getting close to the World Cup… but in order to win the World Cup, I think we should be calling up players who have the potential to make us as good as we can be.”
Tomiyasu’s return provides Japan with a vital boost as they aim to replicate their shock run in Qatar, where they famously defeated Germany and Spain before exiting on penalties to Croatia in the last 16.
