Why was Kaoru Mitoma left out of Japan's World Cup 2026 squad?
(Courtesy : Getty)
Hajime Moriyasu has announced the 26-man squad for the mega competition.
Japan are placed in group F for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They will compete alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia.
The upcoming edition of FIFA’s flagship tournament is around the corner. There are a total of three host nations this time around. The fixtures will take place across the USA, Canada and Mexico. A total of 48 teams are going to battle for the mega prize on the biggest stage of them all. There will be 104 games that are going to determine the most deserving team.
The Samurai Blue have performed in their last five matches. They have defeated heavyweights like Brazil and England. Even though those games were friendly encounters, Japan did put up some good efforts to secure the wins. This is going to be helpful for them heading into the mega competition.
Also Read: Japan’s 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Why Kaoru Mitoma will miss FIFA World Cup 2026?
Kaoru Mitoma has been left out of the Japan national football team for the FIFA World Cup 2026 squad due to the hamstring injury he sustained during the recent English Premier League fixture between Brighton and Wolves.
“After Kaoru Mitoma’s injury, we received a medical report saying that it would be difficult for him to return during the tournament itself,” mentioned Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu.
He further went on to say, “Based on that, we gave up on selecting him. Deciding how to adjust the squad after that was my biggest final consideration.”
The Samurai Blue are going to make their eighth appearance in the World Cup. In the last two editions, they have managed to reach quarterfinals. The Japan national football team are going to face the Netherlands in their opening fixture on June 14. They will then take on Tunisia on June 20 and Sweden on June 25 in their other group stage fixtures.
As per Moriyasu, it was not an easy task to choose the best 26 players to represent Japan on the world stage.
Who is the head coach of the Japan national football team?
Hajime Moriyasu.
Which teams will Japan face in the Group Stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.
Why has Kaoru Mitoma been left out of the Japan squad?
He sustained a hamstring injury during the recent Premier League encounter between Brighton and Wolves. Mitoma will not be able to recover in time for the World Cup 2026.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.