Kaoru Mitoma was named in Japan's squad as they look to get a sneak preview of next year's World Cup in away friendlies against Mexico and the United States.

Brighton winger Mitoma missed Japan's final World Cup qualifiers in June but he returns as Hajime Moriyasu's side take on Mexico in Oakland on Sept. 6 and the USA in Columbus three days later.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada when they punched their ticket in March.

Moriyasu said the friendlies would give his side a valuable taster of the tournament, including travelling between two cities with a three-hour time difference between them.

"I think playing games in the US, getting a feel for what it's like and raising the motivation of the players will be very important for us," he

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