Maya Yoshida

Yoshida has joined Japan's World Cup preparation camp in Monterrey as a support player, bringing his vast international experience to the squad during a critical phase of their preparations, according to Football Zone.

Analysis: Yoshida, who has participated in three consecutive World Cups and three Olympic Games, joins the camp to train alongside the squad and provide guidance and knowledge of the American environment that could prove invaluable during the tournament. Teammate Yuto Nagatomo welcomed his arrival warmly, praising the rarity of his international experience and highlighting his familiarity with the conditions in the United States as a significant asset for Japan, with Yoshida currently playing for LA Galaxy giving him an intimate knowledge of the local climate, time zones and training environments that the rest of the squad will benefit from. Yoshida could replace Wataru Endo (undisclosed) if the midfielder can't be fit for the opener.

May 2, 2026

On bench for Vancouver clash

Yoshida (knee) is on the bench in Saturday's contest versus Vancouver Whitecaps.

Analysis: Yoshida may reappear following a one-game absence, but he's likely to see few minutes in this matchup. Prior to the injury, he made three MLS starts in a row, scoring a goal and averaging 8.0 clearances per game over that period. He'll be a strong rival to Carlos Emiro Garces for a center-back spot in upcoming weeks.