Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the World Cup squad due to injury in a blow for the Samurai Blue, with the midfielder also announcing his retirement from international football.
Japan showed their battling qualities to eke out a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F opener on Sunday, as Hajime Moriyasu's side backed up their desire to make an impact at the tournament with a gritty display.
Morocco, Norway, Turkey, Colombia, Mexico and Japan are among the leading dark horses for FIFA World Cup 2026, with each side possessing the talent and momentum to challenge football's traditional powers.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is expected to be sidelined for at least a couple of months after breaking his leg and undergoing surgery.
Arne Slot planned to have a face-to-face meeting with Mohamed Salah on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
The two teams had numerous chances in the first 90 minutes.
Jose Mourinho's side top Group G with a maximum nine points, three clear of second-placed Slavia.
Images from the FIFA World Cup match between Croatia and Japan on Monday.
IMAGES from League Cup matches played on Wednesday.
IMAGES from the Premier League match played between Liverpool and Luton at Anfield on Wednesday
Substitute Kaoru Mitoma scored twice to give Japan a 2-0 win over Australia and send his country through to seventh successive edition of the World Cup finals
Japan head coach Akira Nishino named an experienced final 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Thursday.
Manchester United bolstered their squad with a flurry of transfer deadline day signings, Manchester City and Liverpool also splashed out while ambitious Brighton & Hove Albion sealed an audacious loan deal for Barcelona's Ansu Fati on Friday.
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Sunday night.
Liverpool reclaimed top spot in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Burnley at Anfield on Saturday, but they were made to battle hard by a brave visiting side.
IMAGES from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday.
Arsenal took the race to the final day last season and are strongly tipped to end Manchester City's dominance this time.
A round-up of Saturday's action in La Liga and the Bundesliga.
The FIFA 2022 World Cup will kick-off in Qatar on Sunday, November 20. Here is a list of the 26-man squads playing in the quadrennial global football extravaganza.
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