Daizen Maeda Selected for Japan's 2026 World Cup Squad
Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has been officially named in Japan's 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This selection marks Maeda's second consecutive appearance at the tournament finals, following his contribution to Japan's last-16 run in Qatar 2022, where he scored one goal in three matches. The 28-year-old winger, who has accumulated four goals in 27 international caps, is currently focused on helping Celtic secure a domestic double in Scotland before joining the national team. Japan is drawn into Group F and will commence their campaign against the Netherlands on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia and Sweden. Notably, Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was excluded from the squad due to a hamstring injury, while Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate was also omitted after struggling with form. The announcement confirms the core attacking options available to manager Hajime Moriyasu as Japan prepares for the summer competition.
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