Opposition watch: Japan include West Ham trio, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd stars in Olympic squad

The Japan Football Association has confirmed the country's final squad for the 2024 Olympic Games with several Women's Super League stars part of the 18-player group.

Japan have been drawn in Group C of the tournament in France, where they will face Spain, Brazil and Nigeria.

The Asian powerhouse begin their campaign against Spain at the Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes on July 25, before games against Brazil (July 28)and Nigeria (July 31) at the Parc des Princes, Paris and Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes respectively. 

Manchester United midfielder Hinata Miyazawa has been named to the roster, along with Chelsea striker Maika Hamano, West Ham trio Honoka Hayashi, Riko Ueki and Risa Shimizu, Manchester City's Yui Hasegawa and Liverpool midfielder Fuka Nagano.

Japan reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup, with Miyazawa netting five goals to win the Golden Boot award.

The 2011 world champions have an impressive record against the Super Falcons, winning four of the meetings between both teams while losing one. 

Japan will face Ghana in a friendly at Kanazawa Go Go Curry Stadium on July 13 as part of their preparations for the game against Nigeria. 

Japan Olympic squad

Goalkeepers: Ayaka Yamashita (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Chika Hirao (Albirex Niigata)

Defenders: Saki Kumagai, Moeka Minami (Roma), Risa Shimizu (West Ham), Hikaru Kitagawa (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Hana Takahashi (Urawa Reds), Toko Koga (Feyenoord)

Midfielders: Kiko Seike (Urawa Reds), Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), Honoka Hayashi (West Ham), Fuka Nagano (Liverpool), Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United), Aoba Fujino (Tokyo Verdy Beleza), Momoko Tanikawa (Rosengard)

Forwards: Mina Tanaka (INAC Kobe Leonessa), Riko Ueki (West Ham), Maika Hamano (Chelsea)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: jfa.jp

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