Japan coach Moriyasu to leave next week after Asian Cup postponement
Hajime Moriyasu will leave as Japan coach next week, earlier than planned, following the postponement of the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. His last matches in charge are friendlies against Brazil and Paraguay.
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Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu will leave his post next week, earlier than planned, after the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia was postponed because of conflict in the Middle East.
The Japan Football Association announced the decision on Friday, according to an ANP report published by Nieuws.nl. Moriyasu had been due to lead Japan at the tournament before Go Oiwa took over in February 2027. Oiwa, a former Japan international, currently coaches the national under-21 team.
The Asian Cup was originally scheduled for January 2027 and has been moved to December, the report says. Moriyasu’s final matches in charge will be friendlies against Brazil on Saturday and Paraguay on Tuesday.
The 58-year-old has been Japan’s coach since 2018, making him the country’s longest-serving national-team manager. Japan reached the last 16 at this summer’s World Cup, where they were knocked out by Brazil. They had drawn 2-2 with the Netherlands in the group stage.
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