Liverpool’s academy will enjoy a high‑profile summer as the club’s U15s head to Japan for a double‑header against a J.League U‑15 Select side later this month.
The fixtures form part of the “J.League International Series 2026 Academy Match”, an official youth‑exchange project organised by the Japanese league to promote development and international links at under‑15 level.
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According to Japanese outlet SoccerKing, the U‑15 J.League Select team will face Liverpool U15 on Wednesday 24 July and Friday 26 July at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka in Tokyo, with both games kicking off at 18:30 local time.
The matches will be 80 minutes long (two 40‑minute halves) and go to penalties if level after full‑time, with squads of up to 20 players and unlimited substitutions allowed. J.League has framed the double‑header as a continuation of a partnership that saw the same sides meet last year:
“This match is held to raise the standard of soccer and promote goodwill and exchange with the international community, marking the third consecutive year since the year before last,” a statement read.
The Liverpool senior side actually went to Japan for pre-season last summer.
The U15 trip also runs parallel to a crucial summer for the senior side, who begin pre‑season under new head coach Andoni Iraola this week, with players returning in staggered fashion due to their involvement at the 2026 World Cup.
A core group reported back to the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday, while those who went deep into the tournament have been granted three weeks’ holiday before linking up with the squad.
Once the group is fully reunited, Liverpool will jet off to the United States for a three‑match tour as part of preparations for the 2026/27 campaign. The Reds face Sunderland at GEODIS Park in Nashville on 25 July, Wrexham at Yankee Stadium in New York on 29 July, and Leeds United at Soldier Field in Chicago on 2 August.