Japan vs. Uruguay Lineups, Preview

Japan will host Uruguay in a Kirin Challenge Cup 2026 friendly at Q&A Stadium Miyagi on Thursday, September 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Japan time, which is 6:05 a.m. ET in the USA, 11:05 a.m. BST and 12:05 p.m. CEST. The match will be Japan’s first since the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Uruguay will begin a new era under former star Diego Forlán.

Japan reached the Round of 32 at the World Cup before losing 2–1 to Brazil. Hajime Moriyasu remains in charge and has kept the majority of his World Cup squad for the September and October international matches.

Uruguay, meanwhile, have appointed Forlán as their new head coach following the World Cup. The former Uruguay striker will oversee his first game in charge against Japan, with the squad including Ronald Araújo, José María Giménez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Darwin Núñez.

Japan vs. Uruguay Predicted Lineups

Japan Lineup vs. Uruguay

Predicted Japan XI

• Tomoki Hayakawa
• Shuto Nakano
• Ko Itakura
• Ayumu Seko
• Hiroki Ito
• Kaishu Sano
• Kuryu Matsuki
• Ritsu Doan
• Yuito Suzuki
• Keito Nakamura
• Keisuke Goto

Japan’s official squad contains 31 players, including Kubo, Ueda, Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka, Junya Ito and Daizen Maeda. Four players, Kaina Tanimura, Shuto Nakano, Kuryu Matsuki and Shunsuke Saito, received their first senior call-ups for this international series.

Uruguay Lineup vs. Japan

Predicted Uruguay XI

• Santiago Mele
• Guillermo Varela
• Ronald Araújo
• José María Giménez
• Mathías Olivera
• Rodrigo Bentancur
• Lucas Torreira
• Giorgian De Arrascaeta
• Facundo Pellistri
• Darwin Núñez
• Maximiliano Araújo

Uruguay have several established players available, although Federico Valverde is out with an ankle injury. Sergio Rochet and Manuel Ugarte are also unavailable, according to current match information.

The official Uruguay squad also includes Nahitan Nández, Joaquín Piquerez, Sebastián Cáceres, Rodrigo Zalazar, Brian Rodríguez, Rodrigo Aguirre and Federico Viñas.

How to Watch Japan vs. Uruguay (TV Channels & Streaming)