NEWS
SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) squad & schedule – KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2026 (9/24@Miyagi, 9/28@Hiroshima), KIRIN CUP SOCCER 2026 (10/1@Kanagawa, 10/5@Tokyo)
17 September 2026

Staff
Head Coach: MORIYASU Hajime (JFA National Coaching Staff)
Coach: NANAMI Hiroshi (JFA National Coaching Staff)
Coach: SAITO Toshihide (JFA National Coaching Staff)
Coach: NAKAMURA Shunsuke (JFA National Coaching Staff)
Coach: MAEDA Ryoichi (JFA National Coaching Staff)
Coach: HASEBE Makoto (JFA National Coaching Staff/Eintracht Frankfurt)
Physical Coach: MATSUMOTO Ryoichi (JFA National Coaching Staff)
GK Coach: SHIMODA Takashi (JFA National Coaching Staff)
Technical Staff: TERAKADO Daisuke (JFA Technical House)
Technical Staff: WAKABAYASHI Taichi (JFA Technical House)
Technical Staff: NAKASHITA Masaki (JFA Technical House)
Technical Staff: WATANABE Hideaki (JFA Technical House)
Squad
GK
HAYAKAWA Tomoki (Kashima Antlers)
KOKUBO Leo Brian (Sint-Truidense VV/Belgium)
SUZUKI Zion (Aston Villa FC/England)
DF
ITAKURA Kou (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany)
WATANABE Tsuyoshi (Feyenoord/Netherlands)
TOMIYASU Takehiro (Crystal Palace FC/England)
ANDO Tomoya (FC St. Pauli/Germany)
ITO Hiroki (FC Bayern Munich/Germany)
SEKO Ayumu (Le Havre AC/France)
SUZUKI Junnosuke (FC Copenhagen/Denmark)
MF/FW
ITO Junya (KRC Genk/Belgium)
KAMADA Daichi (Crystal Palace FC/England)
SOMA Yuki (FC Machida Zelvia)
MAEDA Daizen (Ipswich Town FC/England)
TANIMURA Kaina (Yokohama F. Marinos)*
DOAN Ritsu (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany)
UEDA Ayase (LOSC Lille/France)
TANAKA Ao (Leeds United FC/England)
NAKANO Shuto (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)*
NAKAMURA Keito (Olympique Lyonnais/France)
SANO Kaishu (1.FSV Mainz 05/Germany)
KUMASAKA Koki (Kashiwa Reysol)
KUBO Takefusa (Real Sociedad/Spain)
SUZUKI Yuito (SC Freiburg/Germany)
TANAKA Satoshi (FC Schalke 04/Germany)
MATSUKI Kuryu (Southampton FC/England)*
SANO Kodai (PSV Eindhoven/Netherlands)
SHIOGAI Kento (VfL Wolfsburg/Germany)
SAITO Shunsuke (KVC Westerlo/Belgium)*
GOTO Keisuke (SC Freiburg/Germany)
SATO Ryunosuke (Valencia CF/Spain)
*first call-up to SAMURAI BLUE
Schedule
| Mon. 21 September | 16:30 | Training (Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue. 22 September | PM | Training | |
| Wed. 23 September | PM | Official press conference & training session | |
| Thu. 24 September | 19:05 | KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2026 vs Uruguay National Team (Q&A Stadium Miyagi) |
|
| Fri. 25 September | 16:30 | Training (Hot Staff Field Hiroshima) | |
| Sat. 26 September | PM | Training | |
| Sun. 27 September | TBC | Official press conference & training session | |
| Mon. 28 September | 19:25 | KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2026 vs Venezuela National Team (Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima) |
|
| Tue. 29 September | AM | Training | |
| Wed. 30 September | TBC | Official press conference & training session | |
| Thu. 1 October | 19:10 | KIRIN CUP SOCCER 2026 vs Ecuador National Team (International Stadium Yokohama) |
|
| Sat. 3 October | PM | Training | |
| Sun. 4 October | TBC | Official press conference & training session | |
| Mon. 5 October | 19:30 | KIRIN CUP SOCCER 2026 vs Panama National Team or New Zealand National Team (Japan National Stadium) |
|
【Notes for spectators attending the open training session at Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field】
・The schedule is subject to change at short notice depending on the team's condition, the weather or other circumstances.
・Please be aware that not all selected players may participate in the training session.
・As a general rule, players and staff will not respond to requests for autographs, handshakes or photographs, or accept gifts.
・Media will be present at the venue to cover and film the Japan National Team. Please be aware that spectators may appear in photographs or video footage.
・Please refrain from live-streaming video from the viewing area or filming in a manner that could be regarded by the organisers as media coverage. Commercial photography, photography that infringes the image rights of players or staff, filming match footage using video cameras, smartphones or other devices, streaming footage online, using large equipment such as tripods, and any filming or photography that obstructs the view of other spectators are prohibited.
・It may not be possible to observe the training session once the venue has reached its maximum spectator capacity.
・Training may only be viewed from the designated area outside the ball-stop netting. Please follow all posted notices and instructions from staff. Anyone who fails to follow staff instructions may be asked to leave the venue.
・The designated viewing area is standing only. Seating is available on the seaward side of Supporter Hill, but please be aware that your view may be obstructed if spectators are standing in front of you.
・Please do not attend if you have a fever or feel unwell on the day.
・Loud cheering and the use of drums or other noise-making instruments are prohibited.
・Vehicles are not permitted inside JFA YUME Field. Please use public transport wherever possible. The nearest paid parking is available in Blocks D and E (JPY 600 per entry). Please note that the area may be particularly busy on days when the Chiba Lotte Marines are playing.
【Notes for spectators attending the open training session at Hot Staff Field Hiroshima】
・The schedule is subject to change at short notice depending on the team's condition, the weather or other circumstances.
・Please be aware that not all selected players may participate in the training session.
・As a general rule, players and staff will not respond to requests for autographs, handshakes or photographs, or accept gifts.
・Media will be present at the venue to cover and film the Japan National Team. Please be aware that spectators may appear in photographs or video footage.
・Please refrain from live-streaming video from the viewing area or filming in a manner that could be regarded by the organisers as media coverage. Commercial photography, photography that infringes the image rights of players or staff, filming match footage using video cameras, smartphones or other devices, streaming footage online, using large equipment such as tripods, and any filming or photography that obstructs the view of other spectators are prohibited.
・Only the main stand is scheduled to be open. It may not be possible to observe the training session once the venue has reached its maximum spectator capacity.
・Please do not bring dangerous items into the venue.
・Please take all rubbish home with you.
・Please do not attend if you have a fever or feel unwell on the day.
・Loud cheering and the use of drums or other noise-making instruments are prohibited.
・Public parking is available within Hiroshima Regional Park, but spaces are limited. Please use public transport wherever possible. Please do not park without permission at nearby residences or commercial facilities.
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