Ao Tanaka marked a timely return to Japan’s starting XI in a 1-0 win over Iceland, sharpening preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
He started on Sunday in Tokyo alongside Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and played 73 minutes before Keisuke Goto replaced him with the game goalless. Koki Ogawa, the NEC Nijmegen forward, headed the late winner.
The player said in a post on Instagram: “Thank you for your support. I will fight responsibly.”
Japan will depart Tokyo for North America soon, opening Group F against the Netherlands in Dallas, Texas on Sunday June 14. Tunisia await in Guadalupe, Mexico on June 21, then Sweden back in Dallas five days later.
Japan are unbeaten in seven since a 2-0 loss to the USA in September, with big wins over Brazil, England and Scotland. Having started the final warm-up, Tanaka might hope to keep his place when the tournament begins. Japan will aim for a third straight last-16 appearance, a stage they have never surpassed.
Elsewhere, Leeds winger Noah Okafor missed Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Jordan due to a calf issue. Brenden Aaronson was an unused substitute in the USA’s 3-2 win over Senegal, while Gabriel Gudmundsson’s Sweden face Norway this evening.