Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki has been dropped from Japan's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Myanmar and Syria, coach Hajime Moriyasu announced on Friday. Suzuki, who was Japan's first-choice goalkeeper during the Asian Cup in Qatar earlier this year, faced criticism for his performance and endured racial abuse online after Japan's quarter-final exit.

Japan has already secured their spot in the next round of World Cup qualifiers. This was confirmed in March when FIFA decided not to reschedule Japan's away game against North Korea, which was supposed to take place in Pyongyang. The North Korean officials had cancelled the game just five days prior without providing a reason.

Moriyasu named a 26-player squad that includes Liverpool's Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo. Japan will play against Myanmar in Yangon on June 6 and Syria in Hiroshima on June 11. Moriyasu intends to use these matches to experiment with new players and tactics in preparation for the final round of qualifiers.

Winger Junya Ito was again omitted from the squad following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault in Osaka last year, which Ito denies and is contesting in court. Additionally, Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, sidelined by injury since February, was not included.

A notable new inclusion in the squad is striker Yuito Suzuki from Danish club Brondby, marking his first call-up to the national team.

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