Celtic Stars Gear Up for International Duty as Maeda Misses Out
As the domestic season wraps up, several Celtic players are preparing to represent their countries around the globe. Among those called up is Luis Palma, who will join the Honduras national team, while many other Hoops regulars are set to feature as the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign intensifies.
While international recognition is always welcome, many of these players have endured a physically demanding season. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be hoping his stars return to Lennoxtown in late June or early July without suffering burnout or picking up injuries during the break.
With some nations already securing qualification for the World Cup, several teams have opted to rotate their squads — and that’s reflected in some surprising omissions.
Maeda Not Included in Japan’s Squad for Final Qualifiers
Despite enjoying a sensational season with Celtic — scoring 34 goals in all competitions and collecting multiple individual honours — Daizen Maeda has not been named in Japan’s squad for their upcoming fixtures against Australia and Indonesia.
Under normal circumstances, Maeda would be a guaranteed pick for manager Hajime Moriyasu. However, with Japan having already secured their place at the World Cup, Moriyasu has decided to rest several key players and give opportunities to those playing in the J-League.
Speaking on his decision, Moriyasu explained, “Some of our regulars have been left out for these matches. Many of them have played a high volume of games and have dealt with injuries throughout the season, so we felt it was best to leave them out this time.”
Maeda Likely Relieved to Sit This One Out
While footballers are naturally driven to represent their countries, even they recognise the value of rest. Maeda is expected to make his 56th appearance of the season in Celtic’s final game against Aberdeen — an exhausting workload by any standard.
This international break could come at the perfect time for the 27-year-old, giving him a much-needed opportunity to unwind and recover. With interest from English clubs and speculation about a potential new contract swirling, Maeda has postponed any decisions about his future until after the summer. The break will allow him to rest physically and mentally before considering his next move.
In the meantime, Brendan Rodgers and Celtic fans alike will no doubt be relieved to see one of their star performers afforded a rare window for recuperation ahead of what promises to be another demanding campaign.
