Arsenal midfielder Mana Iwabuchi was not included in Japan’s 23-player Women's World Cup squad, representing the first time the 30-year-old will miss the showpiece event since she helped the nation lift the trophy in 2011.
Iwabuchi has effectively served as the face of women’s football in Japan since her debut at 16 years old in 2010. The two-time Asian Young Footballer of the Year has relished some of her greatest moments on the world stage, including lifting the 2011 Women’s World Cup trophy, claiming silver at the 2012 Olympic Games and helping Japan to a runner’s up finish to reigning world champions USA at the 2015 World Cup.
Iwabuchi has racked up just under 90 caps and more than 35 goals.
However, the World Cup winner has endured a difficult time at club level since moving to north London two years ago, seeing her place in Japan’s national team drift into uncertainty.
The Japanese international signed for Arsenal in 2021 following a half season with Aston Villa. Her arrival garnered plenty of fanfare, with Iwabuchi scoring on her debut in the Women’s Champions league before notching a brace in her very next appearance against PSV.
Yet, the move failed to flourish much further as the midfielder fell down Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall’s pecking order. After making only three appearances under the Swede this season, Iwabuchi joined WSL rivals Tottenham Hotspur on loan in January in search for more game-time ahead of the summer’s tournament.
The spell was far from redemptive, with Iwabuchi failing to register a goal or assist across 10 appearances in a squad battling relegation until the penultimate season.
And the stark drop-off in form has translated into Iwabuchi’s absence from Japan coach Futoshi Ikeda’s 23-player squad.
Ikeda named a squad teeming with talent from leagues abroad, with almost half playing in England, Spain and the United States.
Ikeda did not go into detail about his non-selection of Iwabuchi during his squad announcement press conference, instead only acknowledging her “passion” for the team and maintaining his selection process was performance-based.
Other 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.
Iwabuchi took to social media shortly after the squad announcement to offer her support for the national team. 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”.
Iwabuchi's non-selection has ignited a sharp schism amongst women's football fans, with some fans even blaming Eidevall for the player's tapered form.
Japan is bidding to eclipse their disappointing showing in France in 2019, where they were knocked out in the Round of 16. The World Cup is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Group stage matches commence on 21 July as Japan face Zambia.
