Japan vs Uruguay was already an intriguing international friendly because Diego Forlán is beginning his first run of matches as Uruguay’s interim head coach.
Now there is another major storyline.
Federico Valverde will not be part of Uruguay’s Asia tour after suffering a severe trauma to his left ankle.
Real Madrid confirmed the injury after the midfielder was hurt during the Madrid derby, and Uruguay subsequently decided that Valverde would remain in Spain to continue his recovery. Emiliano Martínez was called into the squad as his replacement.
That changes the conversation around Uruguay’s first match under Forlán.
The squad still contains major names.
Darwin Núñez remains available.
Ronald Araújo remains available.
Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Nahitan Nández and Lucas Torreira are also part of the 26-man group.
But Valverde’s absence means Forlán will have to begin his new Uruguay chapter without one of the midfielders who was expected to be central to the team’s structure.
And Japan are not simply waiting for Uruguay.
Hajime Moriyasu has selected a 31-player squad that combines established internationals with four players receiving their first senior call-ups.
That makes Japan vs Uruguay a useful early examination for both teams.
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Table of Contents
Why Japan vs Uruguay Is More Than a Friendly
Japan vs Uruguay is part of the September international window, but the match carries an obvious storyline for Uruguay.
Forlán is taking charge of the senior national team on an interim basis after Marcelo Bielsa’s departure.
His first assignment is an Asia tour featuring matches against Japan, South Korea and India.
Uruguay’s 26-player squad was announced on September 16, with a mixture of established World Cup players, returning internationals and newer selections.
Forlán himself described Japan and South Korea as teams of a very high level when discussing the upcoming tour.
That makes Japan the first competitive-style examination of the ideas he wants to introduce.
There is also an important timing issue.
Forlán has acknowledged that the team will have limited time together in Asia.
That means Japan vs Uruguay may not reveal a finished tactical identity.
Instead, it can show the first clues.
How does Uruguay build possession?
Where do the midfielders position themselves?
How aggressively does the team press?
How does Núñez receive the ball?
And who takes responsibility for the midfield role that Valverde would otherwise have occupied?
Those are more useful questions than trying to predict the final score.
Forlán’s First Uruguay Squad
Forlán’s first confirmed squad contains 26 players.
The group includes experienced names such as Ronald Araújo, José María Giménez, Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Darwin Núñez.
It also includes returning players such as Nahitan Nández and Lucas Torreira.
There are newer faces too, including goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo, defender Juan Rodríguez and midfielder Facundo Bernal. Martín Satriano is another attacking option included in the squad.
The squad therefore does not represent a complete break with Uruguay’s recent teams.
It is better described as a mixture of continuity and change.
That is important when discussing the beginning of the Forlán era.
The new coach has retained a substantial core while also giving opportunities to players who were not central to the previous setup.
Federico Valverde’s Injury Changes the Midfield Question
Valverde’s absence is the most important late development before Japan vs Uruguay.
Real Madrid reported on September 20 that the midfielder had suffered a severe trauma to his left ankle.
Uruguay subsequently decided that Valverde would remain in Spain to recover rather than travel to Asia.
Emiliano Martínez was called into the squad in his place.
That creates a selection question for Forlán.
Valverde is not simply another midfield name.
His absence means the coach must decide how to distribute the responsibilities that he might otherwise have handled.
Rodrigo Bentancur is available.
Lucas Torreira is available.
Facundo Bernal is available.
Rodrigo Zalazar is also part of the group.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta gives Uruguay another creative option.
The question is therefore not simply “Who replaces Valverde?”
It is:
Does Forlán replace Valverde with one player, or does he redistribute the role across the midfield?
Japan may provide the first clue.
Darwin Núñez Remains One of Uruguay’s Main Attacking Questions
Valverde’s absence puts more attention on the players who remain.
Darwin Núñez is one of the biggest names in the squad and is expected to be an important attacking reference during the Asia tour.
He is joined by Facundo Pellistri, Brian Rodríguez, Maximiliano Araújo, Martín Satriano, Rodrigo Aguirre and Federico Viñas.
Forlán therefore has several attacking combinations available.
The interesting issue against Japan will be how the forward line connects with midfield.
If Uruguay cannot find consistent service into the attacking third, Núñez’s involvement could become isolated.
If the midfield can progress the ball quickly, Japan’s defensive structure will face a different challenge.
That is why the midfield question matters so much to the Núñez storyline.
Ronald Araújo Gives Uruguay a Major Defensive Reference
Ronald Araújo is another established name in the Uruguay squad.
The defender remains part of the group even though Valverde is absent.
For Japan, his presence creates a different tactical challenge.
Japan have several attacking players capable of moving between lines and attacking spaces.
Takefusa Kubo is particularly important here.
Japan do not need to attack Araújo directly on every possession.
Instead, their objective can be to move Uruguay’s defensive structure around and create situations where the centre-backs have to decide whether to step forward or protect the space behind them.
That makes the Kubo-Araújo matchup more interesting than a simple “star vs star” comparison.
Japan’s New Faces
Japan have selected 31 players for the September and October international matches.
Four players are receiving their first senior national-team call-ups:
Kaina Tanimura
Shuto Nakano
Kuryu Matsuki
Shunsuke Saito
The JFA also listed several players returning to the squad, while the group continues to include established names such as Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Ayase Ueda and Keito Nakamura.
This is an important part of Japan’s story.
The match is not simply Japan testing itself against a South American opponent.
It is also an opportunity for Moriyasu to examine players who are entering the senior setup.
Kaina Tanimura
Tanimura is one of the players attracting attention because this is his first senior Japan call-up.
He plays for Yokohama F. Marinos and is part of a group of J.League players given an opportunity alongside Japan’s European-based internationals.
Whether he starts or comes from the bench, his involvement would provide one of the clearest developmental storylines of the match.
Shuto Nakano
Nakano is another first-time senior selection.
The Sanfrecce Hiroshima player gives Moriyasu another domestic option within a squad containing many players based in Europe.
His inclusion is part of a wider effort to evaluate the depth available to Japan.
Kuryu Matsuki and Shunsuke Saito
Matsuki and Saito also received their first senior call-ups.
Matsuki is with Southampton, while Saito plays for Belgian club KVC Westerlo.
Their inclusion shows that Japan’s selection story is not limited to established stars.
The Uruguay match could therefore become a useful measuring point for players trying to establish themselves at international level.
Takefusa Kubo and Japan’s Attacking Question
Takefusa Kubo is among Japan’s most recognizable attacking players and is included in the squad.
The Real Sociedad player gives Japan an important creative outlet between midfield and attack.
Against Uruguay, his movement could be particularly significant.
If Japan can move Kubo into pockets behind Uruguay’s midfield, it could force the defensive line to make difficult decisions.
If Uruguay can prevent those receiving positions, Japan may need to rely more heavily on wide combinations and quick transitions.
That is a genuine tactical battle rather than a manufactured rivalry.
The Real Player Battles to Watch
Takefusa Kubo vs Uruguay’s defensive structure
This is less about Kubo facing one defender for 90 minutes and more about how Uruguay respond when he moves into different zones.
Can Uruguay close the spaces around him?
Can Japan create passing lanes toward him?
Darwin Núñez vs Japan’s centre-backs
Núñez provides Uruguay with a direct attacking threat.
Japan’s centre-backs will need to manage his movement, runs behind the defence and ability to attack space.
The important part will be the service he receives.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Uruguay’s midfield vs Japan’s press
With Valverde unavailable, Bentancur’s role becomes particularly interesting.
Japan can test Uruguay’s midfield circulation by pressing at the right moments.
How Uruguay respond could tell us something about Forlán’s preferred build-up structure.
Ronald Araújo vs Japan’s attacking movement
Araújo’s defensive positioning will matter when Japan rotate their attacking players.
The question is whether Uruguay can maintain compactness without allowing Japan to create gaps between the midfield and defence.
Why Japan Can Test Forlán’s Uruguay
Japan are not entering this match simply to provide Uruguay with a convenient first opponent.
The JFA has assembled a squad containing experienced European-based players and several new call-ups.
Japan also have a clear schedule of preparation.
The team trained on September 21 and again on September 22, with an official press conference and training session scheduled for September 23 before the Uruguay match on September 24.
That gives Moriyasu a short but structured preparation period.
Forlán faces a similar challenge.
Uruguay’s first players arrived in Japan on September 21, but weather-related travel disruptions affected the arrival schedule, with some players only joining the group later.
That makes the limited training time another storyline to watch.
The first Uruguay lineup may therefore tell us as much about what Forlán wants to test as it does about his long-term preferred team.
Japan vs Uruguay Match Details
Competition: International Friendly / Kirin Challenge Cup 2026
Match: Japan vs Uruguay
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Kick-off: 7:05 PM Japan time
India time: 3:35 PM IST
Venue: Q&A Stadium Miyagi, Miyagi, Japan
The Japan Football Association lists the match for 7:05 PM local time at Q&A Stadium Miyagi.
AUF also confirms the same fixture and venue.
Uruguay’s Asia Tour
Japan is only the beginning of Uruguay’s international schedule.
September 24
Japan vs Uruguay
Q&A Stadium Miyagi
September 28
South Korea vs Uruguay
Seoul World Cup Stadium
October 6
India vs Uruguay
VYBK Stadium, Kolkata
AUF’s official schedule confirms all three matches, while the first game in Miyagi will be Forlán’s initial test with the senior team.
That means Japan vs Uruguay can be viewed as the opening chapter rather than a complete assessment of the new coaching era.
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The story should continue when the official lineups arrive.
Follow the match for confirmed starting XIs, live score, goals, substitutions, cards, major incidents and post-match analysis.
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What the First Uruguay XI Could Tell Us
The official lineup will answer several questions.
Who takes Valverde’s midfield responsibilities?
Does Bentancur move into a more prominent role?
Does Torreira start?
Which attacking combination does Forlán choose around Núñez?
Does Araújo lead a familiar defensive structure?
And how many of Japan’s new call-ups receive minutes?
There is no reason to invent those answers before the team sheet arrives.
The lineup itself will provide the evidence.
The Bigger Story: From Suárez’s Uruguay to Forlán’s Uruguay
Luis Suárez is absent from this Uruguay squad.
The veteran forward was not included as Forlán began his first senior-team cycle, while the new coach has retained a large portion of the squad that represented Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup.
That makes the phrase “new Uruguay” useful, but it needs context.
This is not a completely rebuilt team.
Araújo remains.
Núñez remains.
Bentancur remains.
De Arrascaeta remains.
But the coaching voice has changed.
Some players have returned.
Some new players have arrived.
And Valverde, one of the central midfield names, is now unavailable for the Asia tour.
Japan therefore meets Uruguay at an interesting point of transition.
The result will matter, but the more revealing story may be how the two teams use the match to test their next group of players.
Japan vs Uruguay FAQ
When is Japan vs Uruguay?
Japan vs Uruguay will be played on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
What time is Japan vs Uruguay?
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:05 PM Japan time, which is 3:35 PM IST.
Where is Japan vs Uruguay being played?
The match will take place at Q&A Stadium Miyagi in Miyagi, Japan.
Is Federico Valverde playing against Japan?
No. Valverde is out of Uruguay’s Asia tour after suffering a severe left-ankle trauma. He will remain with Real Madrid for his recovery. Emiliano Martínez was called up as his replacement.
Who is Uruguay’s coach?
Diego Forlán is serving as Uruguay’s interim senior-team coach.
Is Darwin Núñez in Uruguay’s squad?
Yes. Núñez is part of Forlán’s 26-player squad for the Asia tour.
Is Ronald Araújo in Uruguay’s squad?
Yes. Araújo is included in the 26-player group.
Who are Japan’s new players?
Japan’s September-October squad includes first senior call-ups for Kaina Tanimura, Shuto Nakano, Kuryu Matsuki and Shunsuke Saito.
What other matches will Uruguay play?
After Japan, Uruguay face South Korea on September 28 and India on October 6.
What is the key question before Japan vs Uruguay?
The most immediate question is how Forlán reorganizes Uruguay’s midfield without Valverde while introducing his own ideas to the national team.
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