TOKYO – Japan will face Iceland in their World Cup send-off match at Tokyo’s MUFG Stadium on May 31, the Japan Football Association said Wednesday.
The Samurai Blue, 19th in the FIFA rankings, will take on the 74th-ranked Europeans, who did not qualify for the World Cup, in their last game before the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Japan have won all of their past three matches against Iceland.
Japan players celebrate after qualifying for the eighth straight World Cup at Saitama Stadium on March 20, 2025. (Kyodo)
“It’s the greatest opportunity before the World Cup to show the home fans the performance by the players who will be putting their pride on the line,” Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said.
“We’d like to receive big energy from the public and head to the World Cup in good condition.”
After the match, Japan will head to a pretournament camp in Monterrey, Mexico, where they will face Tunisia in their second Group F game on June 20.
Japan begin their World Cup campaign facing the Netherlands on June 14 and also play a European qualifier on June 25, both in Dallas.
They have two friendly matches scheduled in March, both away from home, against Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow on March 28 and England three days later at Wembley Stadium in London.
AloJapan.com