Japan have chosen a 27-man squad for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against China and Bahrain, and it is a team full of Meiji Yasuda J.League stars present and past.

Seven of the players in the squad currently play for J.League clubs, while the remaining 20 all began their careers in the domestic league in some form before moving abroad.

FC Machida Zelvia lead the way with three players in the team. Kosei Tani, on loan from Gamba Osaka, is in the mix to be the Samurai Blue starting goalkeeper. He is joined by Zelvia's new signing Yuta Nakayama and 22-year-old Henry Heroki Mochizuki, who is hoping for his first cap.

Kawasaki Frontale centerback Kota Takai is also in search of his first cap as the 19-year-old #NextGenJLEAGUE star continues to establish himself as one of the best young players in the country, while 22-year-old striker Mao Hosoya is back in the team as he puts together another fine season for Kashiwa Reysol.

Yuto Nagatomo is on the opposite end of the spectrum, as the 37-year-old FC Tokyo star aims to add to his 142 caps.

Rounding out the J.League continent is Sanfrecce Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako, who is part of the group competing with Tani to start in goal.

European-based J.League alums will form the core of the squad, including Liverpool’s Wataru Endo. The former Shonan Bellmare and Urawa Reds midfielder is expected to wear the armband for Japan once again despite few minutes to open the Premier League campaign.

One J.League alumnus who has played every minute of the Premier League season so far is Kaoru Mitoma. The former Kawasaki Frontale star already has a goal and an assist, with Brighton & Hove Albion unbeaten through their first three games.

The Samurai Blue will host China on September 5 at Urawa Reds’ home, Saitama Stadium 2002, before heading to Bahrain for a match on September 10.