On Wednesday 15 March, Head Coach MORIYASU Hajime of the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) announced the team squad for the upcoming KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2023, where the team will face the Uruguay National Team on Friday 24 March at Japan National Stadium and the Colombia National Team on Tuesday 28 March at Yodoko Sakura Stadium. In addition to the players who contributed to the team’s advancement to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, four players, including TSUNODA Ryotaro (Yokohama F. Marinos) and NAKAMURA Keito (LASK), made their firsts call-up to the senior side.

Under the continued leadership of coach Moriyasu, 26 players have been called up for the team's first two international matches since the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Four players got their first call-up, while 22 retuned to the team, including 16 who have participated in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Returning players from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ include MITOMA Kaoru (Brighton & Hove Albion FC), who has continued his good form since the tournament, ITO Junya (Stade de Reims), DOAN Ritsu (SC Freiburg), TANAKA Ao (Fortuna Dusseldorf) and ITAKURA Kou (Borussia MG). .....

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