RB Omiya Ardija Women's football team will play an international friendly match against FC Bayern Women's (Germany) on July 25th at NACK5 Stadium Omiya (Omiya Ward, Saitama City). WOWOW announced on the 3rd that it will exclusively broadcast the match live, and that former Nadeshiko Japan players Aya Samejima and Mana Iwabuchi will appear as commentators.
FC Bayern Women is one of Europe's top teams, competing in the German women's football Bundesliga, where they achieved four consecutive league titles from the 2022-23 season to the 2025-26 season. Momoko Tanikawa, the next-generation ace of the Nadeshiko Japan national team, is a key player for the team. This friendly match will be FC Bayern Women's first official tour of Asia and Japan.
Commentator Samejima has experience playing for European clubs and retired from professional football at RB Omiya Ardija Women. Iwabuchi has experience playing for FC Bayern Women and has teammates among the current members.
"Exclusive Live Broadcast! International Friendly Football Match RB Omiya Ardija WOMEN vs. FC Bayern WOMEN" will be broadcast live and streamed on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 4:30 PM on July 25th.
◇Comment from Aya Samejima
I am truly delighted that this dream match will take place at NACK5 Stadium Omiya, a place I have a deep connection to. I will do my best to convey the appeal of women's soccer through this match, together with Iwabuchi, who has experience playing for Bayern, and paying close attention not only to the RB Omiya Ardija Women's players but also to Tanikawa, who is a key player for FC Bayern Women's.
◇Comment from Mana Iwabuchi
I am incredibly grateful and happy that Bayern, a club where I had such wonderful experiences during my playing career, is coming to Japan, and that I will be commentating on their matches. I believe this will be a fantastic opportunity to share the amazing play of the Japanese players and the appeal of women's football around the world with everyone, so I look forward to working together with Ms. Samejima and having fun.
