MONTERREY, Mexico - Former Japan captain Maya Yoshida will be part of the Samurai Blue's World Cup setup as a "support player," starting with their pre-tournament camp in Mexico, the Japan Football Association said Thursday.
The 37-year-old defender made his first appearance for Japan since the 2022 World Cup in Sunday's send-off match against Iceland in Tokyo, leaving the pitch early to an ovation in acknowledgement of his long-term contribution.
While he was not named in Hajime Moriyasu's 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament World Cup, the Los Angeles Galaxy center-back was initially given a one-off call-up to take part in the friendly and help the Samurai Blue squad with his knowledge of playing in North America.
But speaking in Monterrey, where Japan are acclimatizing to the heat during their camp, JFA national team director Masakuni Yamamoto said Yoshida will be back with the national team from Friday ahead of the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
On Thursday, Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo did not appear at practice and tuned up at the team accommodation instead for the second day in a row, while Le Havre's Ayumu Seko sat out as the squad simulated a match situation in training.
