Japan have been dealt a significant blow ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma was ruled out of the tournament because of a hamstring injury.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu confirmed the news while announcing his 26-man squad in Tokyo on Friday, saying the medical team believed Mitoma would not recover in time for the competition.
The 28-year-old suffered the injury during Brighton’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Wolves last weekend. Mitoma has been one of Japan’s standout players in recent years and scored nine goals this season.
The winger played a key role during Japan’s impressive 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar, where the team defeated both Germany and Spain before losing to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16. He also scored the winner in Japan’s 1-0 friendly victory against England at Wembley earlier this year.
Japan were also forced to leave out Monaco forward Takumi Minamino, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in December.
Despite concerns over fitness, defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was included in the squad. The former Arsenal player, now with Ajax, has struggled with injuries and has not played for Japan in nearly two years.
Several experienced names made the squad, including Liverpool captain Wataru Endo, Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada, Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo and veteran full-back Yuto Nagatomo.
Coach Moriyasu will lead Japan into his second World Cup campaign as the Samurai Blue aim to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in history.
Japan have been drawn in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia. Their opening match will take place against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14.
The team will play a final warm-up match against Iceland on May 31 before travelling to their training base in Nashville, Tennessee.
Japan World Cup 2026 squad:
Goalkeepers:
Zion Suzuki, Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa
Zion Suzuki, Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa
Defenders:
Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki
Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki
Midfielders:
Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Yuito Suzuki
Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Yuito Suzuki
Forwards:
Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Ayase Ueda, Keito Nakamura, Kento Shiogai, Keisuke Goto
Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Ayase Ueda, Keito Nakamura, Kento Shiogai, Keisuke Goto
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