Former Japan international midfielder Ruy Ramos will steer the national squad at next month's beach soccer World Cup, Japan Football Association President Saburo Kawabuchi said Friday.

Ramos has already accepted a JFA offer to name him as national coach for the May 8-15 tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the association will finalize his appointment next Thursday, according to Kawabuchi.

The Brazilian-born Ramos came to Japan in 1977 and played for Japanese clubs, including J. League sides Verdy Kawasaki, currently Tokyo Verdy, and Kyoto Purple Sanga until he ended his playing career in 1998.

The 48-year-old obtained Japanese citizenship in 1989 and was capped 32 times for Japan.

The inaugural FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup features 12 teams, with Japan having grouped with Portugal and the United States in the first round.