[Special Feature: Supporting the Japan National Team] On-Site Report! Moriyasu’s Japan Unleashes the “Blue Whirlwind”! Clear Path to the Quarterfinals

The first challenge is the environment

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu (57) often says, “The unexpected is expected.” Those words perfectly described this training camp.

Monterrey, Mexico, was chosen as the training camp location just before the World Cup. The “Estadio Monterrey,” where the second match against Tunisia will be held, is located in an environment with an average high temperature of 34°C. The main objective is to prepare for the heat.

Here, Japan immediately encountered the “unforeseen.” The condition of the field’s turf was poor, forcing the team to change practice locations three times over five days. Moreover, one of those locations was a distant field more than 40 minutes away from the hotel.

Contrary to expectations, the weather remained cooler than anticipated. On the third day, it rained, bringing the temperature down to 26°C. On the fourth day, it reached 30°C, but strong winds made it feel cooler. It seemed as though “heat acclimatization”—the camp’s top priority—had failed.

However, behind the scenes, a “secret strategy” was being implemented to combat the heat. Players were prohibited from cooling down in an ice bath immediately after practice. After finishing practice on the first day, Junya Ito (33) revealed the details.

“It’s okay to get in after returning to the hotel, but apparently, getting in right after practice isn’t good for heat acclimatization.”

While they couldn’t control how high the temperature would rise, they could control their approach to heat acclimatization. The staff’s meticulous research paid off.

However, even if they succeeded in acclimatizing to the heat by banning ice baths, what the players were actually more concerned about than the high temperatures was the humidity. Kiyo Ueda (27) confided:

“I think we need to adjust to the humidity more than the heat. If you sweat a lot, you can end up in a state close to dehydration, and high humidity can make it feel hard to breathe. I’ve gotten used to it a bit, though…”

Monterrey’s average humidity in June is over 60%. Having been exposed to that environment in advance will undoubtedly work to our advantage during the actual competition.

Drones and Legendary Former Players

During training, there were few drills simulating the Netherlands—Japan’s first-round opponent in the World Cup—and much of the time was devoted to re-examining the team’s own attacking and defensive styles. Supporting this review process were the drones introduced at the previous World Cup in Qatar.

When reviewing tactical drills, they sometimes use footage of the entire pitch captured from above the field.As Coach Makoto Hasebe (42) explained, “With limited time, we focus on deciding which information to convey to the players from the vast amount available.” The aerial footage, offering a bird’s-eye view not normally visible, serves as a valuable tool in this process.Is the defensive line aligned? Is the spacing between players during attacks appropriate? It appears that during team meetings, they used extensive aerial footage to fine-tune these details.

Support from legendary former players is also extensive. On the fourth day of the training camp, Coach Shunsuke Nakamura (47) held a free-kick clinic. After the full team practice ended, he gathered five players, including Kubo Takefusa (25) and Ao Tanaka (27), to have them take free kicks and provided direct instruction.There was a palpable sense of tension during the legends’ coaching session. “If I’m too terrible at it, I’m afraid Shunsuke-san will criticize me again after reviewing the video back at the hotel,” Tanaka said with a wry smile.

Former captain Maya Yoshida (37) was originally scheduled to join only for the training camp held in Japan at the end of May, but he has rejoined the team here in Mexico.

“Mealtimes are when we can communicate the most,”

he said proudly. Drawing on his experience with the Los Angeles Galaxy in the U.S., he immediately offered advice on the American climate and stadium characteristics. He also reportedly shared “how to get mentally prepared,” drawing on his experience from three World Cup appearances.

Receiving direct guidance from a world-class veteran on both technical and mental aspects was undoubtedly a valuable asset for the players.

The June 12 issue of “FRIDAY (June 26 & July 3 Combined Issue)” and the paid version “FRIDAY GOLD” feature the Japanese national team’s “lucky meals” and the off-the-field personalities of key players like Kubo Takefusa and Keito Nakamura, accompanied by exclusive photos.

For more details and additional photos, click here ↓

From the June 26 & July 3, 2026 Combined Issue of “FRIDAY”