Asian Cup delay leaves Japan coach Moriyasu’s exit unclear

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu says he will “accept reality” after the 2027 Asian Cup was postponed from January to December, leaving the timing of his departure uncertain. He had been due to lead Japan at the tournament in Saudi Arabia before handing over to current Under-23 coach Go Oiwa, but could now leave at the end of this year.

The Asian Football Confederation said the tournament would be pushed back by almost a year because of “exceptional circumstances” in the region following Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The change has also likely cost Moriyasu his final chance to win the title before stepping down.

Handover remains undecided

Japan Football Association technical director Masakuni Yamamoto declined to clarify the coaching situation on Wednesday as Moriyasu named his squad for friendlies against Brazil and Paraguay in Singapore this month. Yamamoto said the timing of the handover would be decided within the JFA.

Moriyasu, Japan’s longest-serving coach, said the development of the country’s football mattered more than his personal situation. “If the Asian Cup had gone ahead then I would have given my all to win the title in those seven games, but at the same time I thought those seven games wouldn’t be lost if the tournament didn’t happen,” he said.

“If those seven games were to be rescheduled then the new management team could make good use of them looking ahead to the next World Cup. I just accept reality and do my best in the job right in front of me,” he added.

Squad named for Singapore friendlies

Moriyasu said the postponement had not changed his squad selection. He picked Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada, while Coventry City winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto received his first call-up in more than five years. Monaco forward Takumi Minamino was recalled after missing this year’s World Cup through injury.

Brazil eliminated Japan from that tournament in the last 32, scoring in injury time to win 2-1. Japan had beaten Brazil for the first time in a friendly in Tokyo in October last year.

“For Japan to become a team that can win the World Cup we need to have a higher winning percentage against teams from South America,” Moriyasu said.

A further friendly against an unnamed opponent had been planned in Osaka on 30 December as an Asian Cup warm-up, but Yamamoto could not immediately confirm whether it would go ahead.