Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu is set to step down this year following the postponement of the 2027 Asian Cup. Ko Oiwa, the current U-22 national team coach, is lined up to succeed him. The team enters this transition in strong form, unbeaten in their last four matches with three wins and a draw, including a 2-1 victory over New Zealand on 5 October.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officially announced the tournament's postponement on the 3rd, moving it from January to December next year due to unstable conditions in Saudi Arabia. This decision directly impacts Moriyasu, who was originally set to leave his post after the Asian Cup regardless of performance. The Japan Football Association (JFA) plans to proceed with the scheduled handover to Oiwa to ensure the next coach has sufficient preparation time for the 2030 World Cup.
"Nothing has been decided yet," Moriyasu said regarding his future. However, the JFA had officially announced last July that Moriyasu would lead the team through the Asian Cup before handing over to Oiwa. The team's upcoming schedule includes two friendlies in November, against Brazil on the 14th and Paraguay on the 17th in Singapore. The Paraguay match is now likely to be Moriyasu's final game in charge.
Japan's recent results show a 2-1 win over New Zealand, a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, a 2-1 victory over Venezuela, and a 3-1 win against Uruguay. The upcoming match against Brazil on Saturday 14 November is a chance to avenge a 2-1 defeat from their last meeting on 29 June.
The postponement also affects the U-23 Asian Cup, the qualifiers for the LA Olympics, which is likely to be rescheduled for September next year or March 2028. Moriyasu has been in charge of the national team since 2018.
Background and full detail: chosun.com
