Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future after the postponement of the 2027 Asian Cup from January to December potentially denied him a final opportunity to win silverware before stepping down.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that the tournament, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, would be delayed by almost a year due to exceptional circumstances in the region following Houthi attacks on the host nation.
Moriyasu had been expected to lead Japan into the competition early next year before handing over responsibility to current Under-23 coach Go Oiwa. However, the revised schedule could see Japan's longest-serving manager depart at the end of this year without another opportunity to claim the continental title.
Japan Football Association (JFA) technical director Masakuni Yamamoto declined to provide clarity on the coaching transition as Moriyasu announced his squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Paraguay in Singapore.
Despite the uncertainty, Moriyasu insisted that Japan's long-term development remains his priority.
"If the Asian Cup had gone ahead then I would have given my all to win the title in those seven games, but at the same time I thought those seven games wouldn't be lost if the tournament didn't happen," Moriyasu said.
He suggested that the additional matches could instead benefit his successor as Japan prepare for the next World Cup.
"If those seven games were to be rescheduled then the new management team could make good use of them looking ahead to the next World Cup," he explained.
"I just accept reality and do my best in the job right in front of me."
Yamamoto confirmed that the JFA would determine the timing of the managerial handover internally, with no immediate decision announced.
Japan were also scheduled to face an unnamed opponent in Osaka on 30 December as part of their Asian Cup preparations. However, the postponement has cast doubt over the fixture, with Yamamoto unable to confirm whether it will proceed.
Moriyasu maintained that the disruption had not influenced his squad selection for the upcoming international friendlies against Brazil and Paraguay.
The Brazil encounter offers Japan an opportunity to respond after suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat in the last 32 of this year's World Cup, where an injury-time winner ended their campaign.
"We have always tried to give our best in the matches right in front of us and also connect that to the future," Moriyasu said.
"The postponement of the Asian Cup hasn't changed anything in that regard."
Moriyasu has selected Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada for the upcoming fixtures.
Coventry City winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto has also earned a recall to the national team for the first time in more than five years, while Monaco forward Takumi Minamino returns after missing the World Cup through injury.
Japan will approach the Brazil fixture with confidence after securing their first-ever victory over the South American giants in a friendly in Tokyo in October last year.
However, Moriyasu believes his side must consistently compete with elite international opponents if they are to achieve their ambition of becoming genuine World Cup contenders.
"For Japan to become a team that can win the World Cup, we need to have a higher winning percentage against teams from South America," he said.
With his managerial future unresolved and the Asian Cup pushed back, Moriyasu remains focused on strengthening Japan's competitiveness and ensuring the national team continues progressing towards its long-term objectives.
