Football World Cup Tickets: Japan Drops Mixed-Race Forward Jermain Ryo from September Squad
Football World Cup Tickets: Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has announced his 25-man squad for the upcoming September international friendlies in the United States, leaving out one of the most talked-about players of recent months, forward Jermain Ryo of Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
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The Samurai Blue will play Mexico on September 7 at the Oakland Coliseum in California, before traveling east to face the United States at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, on September 10. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a year away, the matches are seen as a crucial checkpoint in evaluating Japan’s strength on the global stage.
The selection comes at a time when injuries have disrupted Moriyasu’s preferred lineup. Several key regulars are unavailable, forcing him to make adjustments. Among the absentees are Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace, Ao Tanaka of Leeds United, Hidemasa Morita of Sporting CP, and Yukinari Sugawara of Werder Bremen, all ruled out due to fitness issues.
The backline in particular has been hit hard, with defenders Goki Machida of Hoffenheim, Gota Takai of Tottenham Hotspur, and Hiroki Ito of Bayern Munich all unavailable. Veteran Shogo Taniguchi, who plays in Belgium, has also been overlooked despite being healthy.
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Even with these losses, Moriyasu called upon several stars from European clubs, including Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad, Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion, captain Wataru Endo of Liverpool, Junya Ito of Genk, and goalkeeper Zion Suzuki of Parma.
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“We have tried to assemble the best squad possible under the circumstances, Moriyasu told reporters, emphasizing that the team’s main focus is on performance rather than excuses. We will give everything to win these matches and return home stronger.”
The absence of Jermain Ryo, however, stood out. The 30-year-old striker had been one of the revelations of the East Asian Football Federation Championship earlier in the summer, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals and earning the Most Valuable Player award.
His match-winning strike in the final against Korea secured Japan a 1-0 victory, sealing their first-ever third consecutive triumph over their regional rivals and delivering the championship trophy. Yet despite those exploits, he was not named in the squad for September.
Also missing from the roster is midfielder Yuki Soma of Machida Zelvia, who captained Japan in the East Asian tournament and contributed three assists. Both Ryo and Soma had played pivotal roles in that campaign, but Moriyasu chose to leave them out in favor of giving opportunities to other players.
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The coach explained that his aim is not only to reward past performances but also to identify talent capable of thriving in tougher international environments. For our team to grow, more players need to go through difficult battles,he said. This is about building the strongest group possible for the future.
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Moriyasu’s squad reflects that philosophy. Alongside established Europe-based names, he called up seven players from the domestic J League, including goalkeeper Yuki Hayakawa of Kashima Antlers and defender Hayato Araki of Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Several of these homegrown talents had featured in the East Asian tournament and now have another chance to impress at the senior international level. For them, it is a golden opportunity to stake a claim for a spot at next year’s World Cup.
The coach also left the door open for late adjustments, suggesting he could add one or two more names depending on how players perform in weekend league fixtures. Kamada’s condition will also be monitored, with a slim chance of him joining the squad if his recovery progresses quickly.
For Ryo, being left out is a reminder of Japan’s remarkable depth. Despite his recent heroics, competition for attacking positions remains fierce, with the likes of Daizen Maeda, Ritsu Doan, Takumi Minamino, Ayase Ueda, and Shuto Machino all selected.
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The omission reflects the reality that short-term form does not always guarantee long-term inclusion in a World Cup-bound squad. Within Japan, some analysts suggested that while Ryo had been excellent in the East Asian Cup, he may not yet fit into Moriyasu’s blueprint for facing higher-level opponents in Europe and the Americas.
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Soma, too, has faced similar skepticism. After Japan’s East Asian triumph, he admitted that he wasn’t overly confident about his World Cup chances, saying that success in a regional competition doesn’t necessarily translate to a ticket for football’s biggest stage. His words have now proven prophetic, as he remains outside the squad at a critical point in preparations.
Japan’s clashes with Mexico and the United States will serve as valuable benchmarks. Mexico, currently 13th in the FIFA rankings, and the U.S., ranked 15th, are both regarded as strong tests. With Korea also set to meet the same two opponents during their American tour, comparisons between the two East Asian powerhouses will inevitably follow.
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For Moriyasu, however, the focus remains inward: blending experience with emerging talent while coping with injury setbacks. In the broader picture, the exclusions of Ryo and Soma underscore the wealth of options available to Japanese football.
Both had moments of brilliance in the summer, yet their absence from the September squad illustrates the unforgiving competition for places. As Moriyasu put it, the process of shaping the final World Cup roster is still ongoing, and only those who can consistently deliver under pressure will secure their ticket to the United States next year.
The 25-man group heading to America may not represent Japan at full strength, but for the coaching staff, it is another important step in assembling a squad capable of competing with the world’s best. The decisions made now, including leaving out recent stars, will ultimately be judged by how well Japan performs on football’s grandest stage in 2026.
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FAQs
1. Q: Why was Jermain Ryo excluded from Japan’s September squad?
Despite his standout performance in the East Asian Cup, Moriyasu excluded Ryo to test other players and focus on long-term squad development for the 2026 World Cup. Competition for attacking positions remains fierce.
2. Q: Which Japanese players were called up from European clubs?
Moriyasu selected several Europe-based stars, including Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), and goalkeeper Zion Suzuki (Parma).
3. Q: What is the purpose of Japan’s September matches in the U.S.?
The friendlies against Mexico and the United States are crucial tests for Japan, helping the coaching staff evaluate players and prepare for tougher international competition ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
4. Q: How can fans buy official FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets?
Fans can purchase official tickets for the 2026 World Cup, including semi-finals and finals, through worldwideticketsandhospitality.com, which offers a secure and seamless booking experience with trusted sellers.
5. Q: Are homegrown J-League players included in the squad?
Yes, Moriyasu included seven domestic J-League players, such as goalkeeper Yuki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers) and defender Hayato Araki (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), giving them a chance to shine on the international stage.
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