In a surprising turn of events, the Japan Football Association has announced today that it has reconsidered its withdrawal from this summer's Copa America tournament and will in fact play in the twelve-team event. They had previously pulled out of the event following the cataclysmic earthquake that struck the country in March, causing CONMEBOL to extend an invitation to Spain to join Mexico as a guest team in Japan's absence, but Spain too declined (not for earthquake reasons) and the hunt was still presumed to be ongoing when the announcement was made that Japan were in fact back in.
Japan Reverses Copa America Decision, Will Play In Summer
CONMEBOL spokesperson Nestor Benitez was understandably delighted at the news:
South America did not lose hope of having Japan in the Copa America and the decision to reconsider the withdrawal is to be applauded. Football is a sport of solidarity that unites people in good times and bad.
Japan are considered to be one of the world’s more entertaining national teams, and it’ll be a real treat to see them in action again this summer. Their only requirement, apparently, is that CONMEBOL work with FIFA to secure the release of several players from European sides in order to participate in the tournament.
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