Japan Women’s FIFA World Cup 2023 Squad: Japan has qualified for every FIFA Women’s World Cup since 1991, making it a perennial contender. They are the only Asian team to have won the tournament, which they did in 2011, and have also placed second once, in 2015.
They are an all-around squad with a solid defence and a potent offence. Their leader is Bayern Munich standout and captain Saki Kumagai.
The Asian team has always been a threat at the Women’s World Cup and will be aiming to advance past the Round of 16 after being eliminated by the Netherlands in the same round the previous time around.
They have the necessary experience, ability, and ambition to succeed. If they reach their full potential, they may be the team to defeat in 2023.
Who earned a spot on Japan’s World Cup roster? GOAL looks around.
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Japan Women’s FIFA World Cup 2023 Squad
GOALKEEPERS
Ayaka Yamashita will be the starting custodian for Japan at the World Cup. She is the most experienced custodian selected for the tournament, with 55 appearances, and will be expected to perform with the same consistency as she has at her club, INAC Kobe.
If necessary, Yamashita will have Chika Hirao and Momoko Tanaka as backup. However, Japan’s head coach Futoshi Ikeda will be hopeful his starting custodian remains healthy for the duration of the tournament.
DEFENDERS
Saki Kumagai, a defender for Bayern Munich, has been Japan’s mainstay at the rear, and that is expected to continue at the World Cup. The 33-year-old defender, who has earned over 130 national team appearances, is the only member of the current squad to have participated in the 2011 World Cup-winning team.
Moeka Minami and Shlori Miyake are anticipated to round out Japan’s three-person defence, while West Ham United full-back Risa Shimizu will likely play as a wing-back.
Hana Takahashi, Rion Ishikawa, and Kiko Seike, all of Urawa Reds, will serve as proficient substitutes and be included in the squad.
MIDFIELDERS
Yui Hasegawa, a midfielder for Manchester City, will be one of the first names on the Japanese roster. With 14 goals in 63 appearances for the national team, she has contributed goals from midfield.
Jun Endo, Fuka Nagano, and Hikaru Naomoto are all expected to play in the Japanese midfield, while Honoka Hayashi, Hina Sugita, and Fuka Nagano have been included as potential surprises.
FORWARDS
Japan is poised to field two forwards in the World Cup, and Kobe forward Mina Tanaka will be a lock to start. Tanaka, who has scored 23 goals in 62 appearances, is the player to monitor in the final third.
He will, however, have Riko Ueki as a capable partner for achieving objectives. Remina Chiba and Maika Hamano will be on the reserve and eager to earn playing time in the group stage.
PREDICTED 11
Akaya Yamashita will be Japan’s uncontested first choice between the pipes. The three-woman defence of Saki Kumagai, Shiori Miyake, and Moeka Minami will protect the goal.
Yui Hasegawa will be accompanied in the middle by Hikaru Naomoto and Fuka Nagano, with Jun Endo and Hina Sugita on each flank. Mina Tanaka, the team’s leading scorer, will be joined up front by Riko Ueki as Japan chases goals in the final third.
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Japan Women’s World Cup 2023 Squad:
- GK: Ayaka Yamashita (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
- GK: Momoka Tanaka (Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
- GK: Chika Hirao (Albirex Niigata)
- DF: Risa Shimizu (West Ham)
- DF: Moeka Minami (Roma)
- DF: Saki Kumagai (Roma)
- DF: Shiori Miyake (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
- DF: Kiko Seike (Urawa Reds)
- DF: Miyabi Moriya (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
- DF: Rion Ishikawa (Urawa Reds)
- MF: Fuka Nagano (Liverpool)
- MF: Hinata Miyazawa (MyNavi Sendai)
- MF: Hiraku Naomoto (Urawa Reds)
- MF: Jun Endo (Angel City)
- MF: Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)
- MF: Hina Sugita (Portland Thorns)
- MF: Honoka Hayashi (West Ham)
- MF: Aoba Fujino (Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
- MF: Hana Takahashi (Urawa Reds)
- FW: Riko Ueki (Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
- FW: Remina Chiba (JEF United)
- FW: Mina Tanaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
- FW: Maika Hamano (Hammarby)
