Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ao Tanaka featured for Japan as they rounded off their preparations with victory over Iceland in Tokyo.

The 27-year-old midfielder started for Hajime Moriyasu’s side at the MUFG Stadium, playing 73 minutes as Japan secured a 1-0 win thanks to Koki Ogawa’s late header. The result completed the Samurai Blue’s home-based preparations before they depart for North America.

Tanaka was influential in the middle of the park throughout his time on the pitch, recording 63 touches and completing 52 passes. He also tested the Iceland goalkeeper with one effort on target, made two tackles, registered five recoveries and won two ground duels before being replaced by Keisuke Goto.

Japan dominated much of the contest in front of a crowd of more than 62,000, eventually finding the breakthrough three minutes from time when Ogawa nodded home Yukinari Sugawara’s cross.

Moriyasu’s men have now completed their warm-up schedule and will turn their full attention towards the World Cup, where they are set to make their eighth consecutive appearance at the tournament.

Japan’s campaign begins on Sunday 14 June when they face the Netherlands national football team at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm BST.