Kaoru Mitoma has been left out of Japan national football team’s squad for the 2026 World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury in a major setback for both the player and his country.
The Brighton & Hove Albion winger picked up the injury during Brighton’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu confirmed the decision while announcing his final squad in Tokyo on Friday.
Kaoru Mitoma injury forces Japan World Cup omission
Moriyasu admitted Japan’s medical staff concluded Mitoma would not recover in time to contribute during the tournament.
“The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament.” — Hajime Moriyasu
The omission represents a major blow to Japan’s hopes of progressing beyond the World Cup last 16 stage for the first time in their history.
Mitoma has become one of Japan’s most influential attacking players in recent years and scored nine goals during the current campaign. He also netted the winner in Japan’s recent friendly victory over England national football team at Wembley.
Having followed Japan’s tactical development closely under Moriyasu, Mitoma’s ability to destabilise defensive structures in transition has become central to the national team’s attacking identity.
The winger also played a crucial role during Japan’s famous victories over Germany national football team and Spain national football team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Takumi Minamino also misses out
Mitoma is not the only major absentee for Japan.
Takumi Minamino of AS Monaco FC was also excluded after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December.
However, there was positive news for Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The former Arsenal F.C. defender — now playing for AFC Ajax — returned to the squad despite not representing Japan for almost two years because of recurring injury problems.
Tomiyasu last played for Japan in June 2024 before a long rehabilitation period.
Experienced core remains in squad
Japan’s 26-man group still contains several experienced European-based players.
Wataru Endō of Liverpool F.C., Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace F.C. and Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad were all selected.
Veteran full-back Yuto Nagatomo, now 39 years old, also retained his place.
Meanwhile, young striker Kento Shiogai earned inclusion after impressing during recent international appearances.
| Japan Group F fixtures | Date |
|---|---|
| vs Netherlands | June 14 |
| vs Tunisia | June 20 |
| vs Sweden | June 25 |
source: FIFA World Cup schedule – 15 May 2026
Japan will begin their tournament against Netherlands national football team in Arlington, Texas before facing Tunisia national football team and Sweden national football team in Group F.
What’s next?
Japan will play a final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland national football team on May 31 before travelling to their training base in Nashville, Tennessee.
For Mitoma, focus will now shift entirely towards rehabilitation ahead of the 2026/27 season with Brighton after missing the biggest tournament of his career.
Japan, meanwhile, must quickly adapt tactically without one of their most dangerous attacking weapons.
Can Japan still make a historic World Cup run without Kaoru Mitoma leading the attack?
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