Japan will play Costa Rica on June 2 and Zambia on June 6 in Tampa, the United States, during their preparation camp in Florida ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
　The first game will kick off at 9 p.m. with the second game scheduled for 7:30 p.m., both at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
　Japan last played Costa Rica in 2002 in Yokohama in a World Cup warm-up that ended in a 1-1 draw. Their first meeting was in 1995 in Kyoto, which the hosts won 3-0.  
Japan have never played Zambia before.
　“Playing these two tough matches will be important for us in our preparation for the finals,” said Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni, who chose Florida for his side’s preparation camp in the run-up to the World Cup.
“Those two teams have characteristics from their respective continents, Central America and Africa, and Costa Rica will play in the World Cup, while Zambia previously won the African Cup of Nations.
“I am hoping that we can make the most of those opportunities to make the best preparation for the World Cup.”
　In the group stage at the World Cup in Brazil, Japan, making their fifth straight World Cup appearance, will play Cote d’Ivoire on June 14 in Recife, Greece on June 19 in Natal and Colombia on June 24 in Cuiaba.