Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America, naming Real Sociedad forward Takefusa Kubo and Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu among the selections. Tomiyasu's inclusion is notable after an absence of nearly two years from the national team due to a series of injuries, while Brighton midfielder Kaoru Mitoma was excluded following a hamstring injury sustained in a club match earlier this month. Japan, known as the "Samurai Blue," will open their Group F campaign against the Netherlands in Dallas on 14 June, before facing Tunisia and Sweden in their bid to advance beyond the round of 16, the stage at which they exited the previous two World Cups.