Almost half of Japan's Women's World Cup squad from abroad but Iwabuchi misses out

Not being sexist but I didn’t even know there is a woman’s World Cup

Can't speak to you being sexist, or not, but you are ignorant about women's soccer. In the United States, the women's team of recent success with Rapinoe, Presse, Alex Morgan, etc. drew more fans than the men's team, and quite a bit more popular. It's why they asked to be paid the same as the men, and won their case.

I was looking forward to watching Nadeshiko but No Mana Iwabuchi, No Cup. Horrible decision. She has more killer instinct than (almost) the rest of the team. Most scoring chances...gone. Quick exit most probable

Gaijinland - you don't know what's happening around the world in women's soccer do you?

In the richer countries - Europe, N. America, Australia etc - it's moving ahead to the point it's unrecognizable from the game of 2 decades ago.

Large crowds, Big sponsors, full-time professionals with salaries slowly creeping up.

Strangely Japan's interest in Nadeshiko has dwindled after their memorable world cup win. Why?

Put it down to fair weather support imo.

Doing well - then they're the darlings of the day.

Slide down a little then bye, bye.

The world cup in Aust. / NZ will be a Big Event with a huge live attendances and huge tv audiences.

All the very best to all the ladies selected for Nadeshiko Japan! They will have a big contingent of support following them in New Zealand as they fight hard through the group stages.

The US and England may be favourites - but nothing is impossible!

Not being sexist but I didn’t even know there is a woman’s World Cup until recently. I always thought Soccer was fun to play, but boring as heck to watch. If the WNBA is any indicator, I’m not excited. Sad but true, there is no money to be made in female team sports from an advertising perspective because of such a lack of interest. Tennis is a different story entirely though.