Moriyasu Watch · Nov 15, 2026
Official: Paraguay on Nov 17 is Moriyasu's last match, and the Dec 30 Osaka game is cancelled
It's official now, and there's no softening it: Tuesday is the last one. On Nov 13 the JFA cancelled the Kirin Challenge Cup match planned for Dec 30 at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka. The match was meant as Asian Cup preparation, and with the tournament moved to December 2027 the JFA decided not to go ahead. In the same notice, the JFA confirmed that Japan vs Paraguay in Singapore on Tuesday, Nov 17 will be Hajime Moriyasu's last match in charge of Samurai Blue. Jiji Press reported that the year-end date falls outside FIFA's international window, which would have made it very hard to call up our Europe-based players. There were also clashes with the Emperor's Cup and trouble lining up an opponent. Go Oiwa takes over in March 2027, starting with the home games in Hiroshima (Mar 25) and Tokyo (Mar 30). So that's it: no home farewell in Osaka. The send-off happens far from home, at Singapore's National Stadium, at 5:10am PT / 8:10am ET on Tuesday. Eight years, two World Cups, wins over Germany, Spain and Brazil, and a generation of players who grew up under him. Set the alarm. Let's be loud for him one last time.
Source: JFA official notice (Japanese)
