Defending champion Japan will play its last domestic warm-ups against New Zealand and Italy before heading off to Canada for the Women's World Cup, the Japan Football Association announced on Thursday.
Nadeshiko Japan will host New Zealand on May 24 in Kagawa Prefecture before facing Italy four days later in Nagano Prefecture. Norio Sasaki's side has been drawn with Switzerland, Cameroon and Ecuador in the first round at the June 6-July 5 World Cup.
"Ideally, we'd love to head to Canada with two wins, but neither of the games will be easy," Sasaki said.
Japan will play in the Algarve Cup in Portugal in March before Sasaki names his World Cup 23 by mid-May.