Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said Wednesday it will be "difficult" to assemble the strongest possible squad for this summer's Copa America in Brazil, with overseas clubs under no obligation to make Japanese players available for the tournament.
While the June 14 to July 7 Copa America is sanctioned by FIFA, clubs are only required to release players from countries in South America's CONMEBOL federation.
"It's difficult. If a club says no, there's nothing we can do about it," said Moriyasu, who recently visited Europe to observe Japanese players based there.