Ko Itakura and the Asian Cup 2027 dilemma: “The most important thing” is not just football

Chiba, Japan – On September 22, 2026, after a training session of the Japan national team, Ko Itakura did not deny reports about his possible absence from the 2027 Asian Cup. “I don't know how to put it easily,” he said. The tournament starts in January 2027 in Saudi Arabia, in the middle of the European season. Itakura said the national team remains his top priority, but he owes respect to his club, Borussia Mönchengladbach, which “picked him up”. He also said the decision is not his alone; he is talking with many people and needs more time. The gathering in Chiba is Japan's first camp after the 2026 World Cup. Itakura stressed that Japan must not lose any match and wants to keep the fans' passion alive. He admitted the national team still needs to try new things and close the gap in quality against strong opponents. At the same time, he is preparing to become a father. He described his first child as “the most important thing” in his life. That personal dimension makes the conflict between club and country even harder. Media often frame this as a choice between patriotism and money. But Itakura's words show a deeper issue: modern football calendars place enormous pressure on players. The Asian Cup takes place in the middle of the European league season, and clubs do not want to lose key defenders during a decisive period. Winning the argument requires more than calling a player loyal or disloyal. It requires structure, dialogue, and protection. Vietnamese football should watch this case closely as more Vietnamese players move abroad. The real challenge is not forcing a player to choose, but creating a system that lets him serve both sides without being torn apart. Trust cannot be controlled; it must be built through listening and respect.