An Olympic rings monument is seen on the summit of Mt. Takao in Hachioji in western Tokyo. (Mainichi/Masahiro Ogawa)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Soccer squads at the Tokyo Olympics will be expanded from 18 to 22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japan Football Association said Thursday, citing notification from the sport's world governing body, FIFA.

       According to JFA technical director Yasuharu Sorimachi, FIFA's unusual rule for this summer's games is aimed at navigating the potential ineligibility of players due to the virus. Instead of an 18-player squad and four reserves, the backup players can be considered regular members, able to be selected for each game's 18-player match squad.

       Backup members at previous Olympics could only be used when replacing one of the original 18 in case of injuries or other special circumstances.

       The Japanese men's side will add its four current backups: striker Daichi Hayashi, defenders Koki Machida and Ayumu Seko, and keeper Zaion Suzuki.

       The women's team is expected to include as its reserves: midfielders Momoka Kinoshita and Honoka Hayashi, defender Shiori Miyake and keeper Chika Hirao.

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