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.
