The experienced centre-back withdrew from the November 19 Doha clash after suffering a groin strain while playing for Yokohama F-Marinos in a J-League match at the weekend.
Nakazawa's injury is a major setback for under-fire Japan coach Takeshi Okada after first-choice goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki pulled out of the squad with an ankle injury.
Japan's stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign could be further hampered if Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura fails to recover from a knee injury in time for the Group A game.
"It's feeling better but from the MRI results they say it will take another week or two to heal properly," Nakamura told reporters. "I should be able to go to Qatar."
"Information was coming in," said Okada, who has been scrambling to draft in cover since. "Narazaki was out. Nakazawa had come off injured. I haven't had formal word on Nakamura.
"I'm more interested in who can play at the moment. It's a chance for the players who come in to make their mark."
"I don't think there's any need to be pessimistic just because I'm not playing," he said. "Hopefully the fans will get behind us like they have in the past."
