Japan switches World Cup training venue in Mexico over field quality concerns

Japan's national team has changed its training base in Monterrey, Mexico ahead of the 2026 World Cup due to concerns about field quality. The squad had initially planned to use the Tigres UANL stadium but switched to Rayados de Monterrey's El Vial stadium after identifying issues with the original venue. The Japanese delegation addressed the change Thursday without providing an official explanation. Local media reported that the first training ground had uneven surfaces and large patches of bare dirt, criticism that spread across Mexican social media platforms. Japan will hold its first training session at the new stadium Thursday. The team is conducting itspreparations from a camp in Nashville, Tennessee and is expected to arrive in Monterrey early next week. Japan's World Cup schedule is set: the team opens against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, Texas, faces Tunisia on June 20 in Monterrey, and concludes the group stage against Sweden on June 25 in Texas.