TOKYO, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Wednesday named a 26-player squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, with midfielder Yui Hasegawa leading a group that aims to reclaim the continental crown and qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The squad is heavily built around overseas-based players, with 21 of the 26 players playing for clubs outside Japan. First-choice goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, who plays for Manchester City in the English Women's Super League, will stand between the sticks.
At the back, 35-year-old veteran Saki Kumagai, long regarded as the team's spiritual leader, has been retained to provide experience and stability. She is joined by several England-based defenders including Risa Shimizu, Hikaru Kitagawa and Moeka Minami, as well as Toko Koga, giving Japan a backline rich in international exposure.
In attack, Mina Tanaka, Remina Chiba, Riko Ueki and Maya Hijikata are expected to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibilities as Japan look to combine speed, pressing and fluid movement in the final third.
Japan boasts impressive depth in midfield, where Yui Hasegawa, also of Manchester City, will serve as the key playmaker. Hinata Miyazawa and Fuka Nagano will provide energy, pressing and transitions, while helping to link play with the flanks.
One of the most eye-catching names is 20-year-old Momoko Tanikawa, who has been in outstanding form this season. Representing Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga, Tanikawa has scored 10 goals in all competitions, helping her club to an unbeaten league run of 16 wins and one draw and the top spot in the standings. How Nils Nielsen blends Hasegawa's control with the dynamism of the younger attackers to form a stable and efficient attacking unit is seen as a "good headache" for the coach.
As the first foreign head coach in the history of Japan's women's national team, Nielsen said at the press conference that the team had finally arrived at a "truly meaningful" tournament after a period of transition and friendlies, and he hoped to show "attractive football" to fans and viewers.
The Dane stressed that current form over the past month was a key selection criterion, while also placing strong emphasis on players' ability to adapt to different match situations, so as to better manage rotation and maintain performance levels during a congested schedule. Japan is targeting a third Women's Asian Cup title and a 10th consecutive qualification for the Women's World Cup.
In terms of age structure, the squad is anchored by players in their 20s, complemented by veterans such as Kumagai. There are five players born in 2004, underlining the team's generational shift. Japanese media noted that while Nielsen has picked largely on recent form, the squad also reflects a long-term plan to broaden the talent pool and accelerate renewal within the World Cup cycle, helping Japan maintain energy and flexibility in high-intensity competitions.
The 2026 Women's Asian Cup will be staged in Australia from March 1 to 21 and will be served as a qualifying tournament for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. The four semifinalists will secure direct berths for Brazil, while the four teams eliminated in the quarterfinals will enter playoffs for the remaining two Asian slots.
Japan, who are aiming to challenge for the title, will play all three group matches in Perth. They will open its campaign against Chinese Taipei on March 4, before facing India and Vietnam in the remaining group fixtures. ■
