Former Japan national football team player Yuji Nakazawa appeared at a McDonald's Japan original product launch event for "VIVA! World Mac" held in Tokyo on Getsuku, alongside actors Junichi Okada and Yuka Kageyama. Regarding Okada, who plays the "coach" in the new World Mac "National Team Announcement" commercial that will air from the 16th, Nakazawa said with a wry smile, "I have a bit of a problem with the name Okada."
Nakazawa recalled his memories of McDonald's, saying, "When I went on my first date with a girl in junior high school, we met at a McDonald's in Minami-Koshigaya (Saitama Prefecture), so it's a memorable place for me. I went there with a paper coupon in my hand." He then drew laughter from the audience by saying, "Sorry for getting personal. My wife will get angry if she hears this, so please cut it out."
On this day, eight products that will be sold for a limited time starting on the 17th to commemorate the FIFA World Cup 2026 were unveiled. When Nakazawa sampled the "Mexican Taco Cheese Chicken" and was asked to perform a goal celebration to express his excitement, he first made a fist pump, which he used to do during his playing days as "the pose I make when I'm not used to scoring goals," and then performed Kazuyoshi Miura's "Kazu Dance" with his elegant footwork.
Holding a mini soccer ball, an official FIFA collaboration item, Nakazawa commented, "Whenever I see a soccer ball, my blood just starts to boil. It's not that I want to play soccer or anything. It just boils my blood." This led to him demonstrating his ball-juggling skills. "Remember my playing style. I'm not good with my feet. I've only ever headed the ball. So, I've never really done much ball juggling before," he said, before successfully juggling the ball.
Applause erupted from the audience, and Okada praised him, saying, "That's amazing. You really showed us what a pro can do," while Kageyama also praised him, saying, "His mental strength is incredible!"
