Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has withdrawn from Japan’s squad for upcoming friendlies against Scotland and England due to injury, dealing a further blow to his World Cup ambitions.

The 27-year-old had only recently been recalled to the national team for the first time in almost two years, but the latest setback means he will no longer have a chance to feature for his country before head coach Hajime Moriyasu selects his final World Cup squad.

Tomiyasu started for Ajax against Feyenoord on Sunday, but was forced off in the 73rd minute after signalling discomfort to the bench.

Following the match, he posted on Instagram that the situation is “part of a process,” adding: “Haste makes waste. Do what you need to do.”

Japan are set to face Scotland in Glasgow on Saturday before meeting England at Wembley three days later.

They have been drawn in Group F for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and a European qualifier.

Takehiro Tomiyasu left Arsenal in July last year with 12 months remaining on his contract in order to focus on his rehabilitation.

He signed for Ajax in December and returned to action in January for the first time since October 2024, although he is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for his new club.

The defender has earned 42 caps for Japan and featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Bologna in August 2021 and went on to make 84 appearances in all competitions during his spell in north London.