Takehiro Tomiyasu, the former Arsenal defender, has been given a significant boost in his international career as he received a call-up to Japan’s national team for the first time in almost two years. This recall comes ahead of crucial friendly matches against Scotland and England, signaling renewed hope for the 27-year-old as he aims to secure his place in Japan’s squad for the upcoming World Cup. Tomiyasu’s journey back to the national team has been marked by persistent injury challenges that have kept him off the pitch for extended periods.
Last year, Tomiyasu made the difficult decision to part ways with Arsenal in July, despite having a year remaining on his contract. This move was motivated by his desire to concentrate fully on recovery and rehabilitation, stepping away from the pressures of Premier League football. After months of dedicated effort, he signed with Ajax in December and managed to return to competitive action in January, marking his first appearance since October 2024. This return to form has evidently caught the attention of Japan’s head coach, Hajime Moriyasu.
Japan’s upcoming fixtures include a match against Scotland in Glasgow on March 28, followed by a high-profile game against England at Wembley three days later. Moriyasu has not only recalled Tomiyasu but also included Hiroki Ito from Bayern Munich, who is also making a comeback from injury. The coach emphasized the importance of their potential contributions, stating that if both players are fit, their involvement could be highly beneficial for Japan’s World Cup campaign. Moriyasu expressed optimism about their fitness levels improving as the tournament approaches.
Moriyasu also highlighted the need for these players to reacquaint themselves with the team’s tactics and dynamics during the upcoming friendlies, given their long absence from international duty. This period will be crucial for Tomiyasu and Ito to regain match sharpness and reintegrate into the squad’s playing style. Japan’s group for the World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer, includes the Netherlands, Tunisia, and a yet-to-be-determined European qualifier, making these preparatory matches all the more important.
Tomiyasu has earned 42 caps for Japan and was part of the squad that competed in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His tenure at Arsenal began in August 2021 after transferring from Bologna, during which he made 84 appearances across all competitions. Despite not yet completing a full 90-minute match for Ajax, Moriyasu has observed Tomiyasu’s capabilities and believes he is ready to contribute at the highest level. However, Japan’s squad is still grappling with injuries, with key players like Takumi Minamino from Monaco and Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad sidelined for the March friendlies.
In addition to recalling experienced players, Moriyasu has introduced Wolfsburg forward Kento Shiogai to the national team for the first time, signaling a willingness to explore new talent. The coach acknowledged that while the World Cup is fast approaching and many may argue that experimentation should cease, he believes it is essential to continue integrating players who can elevate the team’s performance. Japan’s remarkable run in Qatar, where they stunned powerhouse teams like Germany and Spain before narrowly losing to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16, has set high expectations for this year’s tournament.
