Former Gunner free agent still has chance to make World Cup squad | OneFootball

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu insists Takehiro Tomiyasu still has a chance to feature in their World Cup squad despite currently operating without a club.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Excluding host countries Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Japan were the first country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, securing their spot in the competition all the way back in March.

The team performed excellently in the third round of AFC qualifiers, winning seven, drawing two, and losing one, scoring 30 goals and conceding just three in the process.

One of the draws and the only defeat came after qualification was already secured.

So Japan will definitely be at the tournament next summer, but former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu’s spot on the plane is far less certain.

Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Tomiyasu is a starter for Japan whenever he’s fit, but his injuries have been so damaging that he ended up cancelling his contract with Arsenal early. The defender did play a couple of the early games of Japan’s qualification campaign, but his last appearance for the side was in June 2024.

Now without a club and still pushing to get fit, Tomiyasu may struggle to make a convincing case for himself as a World Cup squad member. Yet Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu is ultimately the man with the final decision, and he says Tomiyasu still has a chance.

“To answer simply, I think he can make it,” Moriyasu said. “If he is in good shape, he will be a candidate to help Japan challenge to win the World Cup in North America.”

Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Tomiyasu explained his Arsenal departure over the summer, saying: “It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave. First of all, I want to make it clear that my contract wasn’t terminated unilaterally, and I didn’t unilaterally say ‘I’m leaving’.

“We had a proper discussion and came to the conclusion that ‘this decision is best for me, for the club, and for everyone,’ so I’m leaving. It all ended amicably.

“I was there for four years, but I only played five minutes in the 2024-25 season, and I spent a whole year in rehabilitation. I was under a lot of stress and anxiety.

“From my perspective, it’s the best timing, I’ll be free, and most importantly, the most positive thing about this decision is that it will allow me to focus on my rehabilitation and on myself.”