Arsenal midfielder Mana Iwabuchi has not been included in Japan’s Women's World Cup squad, marking the first time the 30-year-old will miss the showpiece event with her national team since the nation’s 2011 triumph.
Known as the face of women’s football in Japan, Iwabuchi has represented her country since the tender age of 16, enjoying some of her greatest success on the world stage, including lifting the 2011 Women’s World Cup trophy.
Since 2010, Iwabuchi has racked up just under 90 caps and more than 35 goals.
However, the 30-year-old has endured a torrid time at club level since her move to north London and uncertainty has surrounded her place in Japan’s squad. Signing for Arsenal 2021 after half a season with Aston Villa, Iwabuchi scored on her debut in the Women’s Champions League, before notching a brace in next appearance against PSV.
But the move failed to blossom much further with the midfielder falling down the pecking order under Jonas Eidevall. After making only three appearances this season, the Arsenal player swapped Arsenal for rivals Tottenham Hotspur in January in search of more game-time.
The loan spell was far from the renaissance many hoped for, with Iwabuchi making only 10 appearances and failing to register a goal or assist in a squad battling relegation until the penultimate weekend.
And Iwabuchi’s recent form has seen her dropped from Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda’s 23-player squad. Ikeda named a squad heavy with talent plying their trade in leagues abroad, with almost half playing in England, Spain and the United States.
WSL players featuring in Ikeda’s squad include Yui Hasegawa of Manchester City, Fuka Nagano of Liverpool and Chelsea’s exciting young January signing Maika Hamano, who was immediately sent out on loan to Swedish club Hammarby.
Ikeda did not go into detail about his non-selection of Iwabuchi, instead only acknowledging her “passion” for the team and maintaining his selection process was performance-based.
Iwabuchi took to social media shortly after the squad announcement. The midfielder wrote: “I wasn't able to join the team this time, but I hope I can entrust my feelings to everyone on the team. Please support Nadeshiko Japan”.
Japan is bidding to eclipse their disappointing showing in France in 2019, where they were knocked out in the Round of 16. The Japanese were runners-up in 2015, losing to current reigning world champions USA.
The World Cup is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Group stage matches commence on 21 July as Japan face Zambia.
