<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/japan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan</a> have managed to remain one of the most competitive national teams in Asia. Not only do they have a roster full of stars, but they also possess an imposing collective game under head coach Hajime Moriyasu. However, they will feel the difficult absence of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/karou-mitoma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaoru Mitoma</a>, as he will not be at the 2026 World Cup, losing one of their most game-changing players in the world.



Kaoru Mitoma suffered a severe hamstring tear on May 9, 2026, while playing for Brighton &amp; Hove Albion. With an estimated recovery time of eight weeks, he would return to the pitch at the end of July, which ruled him out of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2026 World Cup</a>. Without his presence, Japan lose a difference-maker in dribbling, something they may need considerably in the tournament to make the difference.



Throughout the 2025-26 season, Mitoma had numerous physical problems that limited him to playing only 27 matches, in which he scored 3 goals and provided just 1 assist. Despite this, he remained an undisputed choice for head coach Hajime Moriyasu, making his absence a very significant one. Nonetheless, he is expected to make a comeback after the 2026 World Cup, with Brighton &amp; Hove Albion.



Taking Mitoma’s spot, head coach Hajime Moriyasu may bet on Junya Ito, shinning at KRC Genk, and Daizen Maeda, shinning with Celtic, may take on a bigger role within Japan’s roster. Nonetheless, they need to step up their performances, as they have not been able to take a protagonist role within the national team. Having just three games to prove, they have a huge task ahead.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/14131509/Mitoma-2-1920x1080.webp" alt="Kaoru Mitoma of Japan celebrates victory." class="wp-image-653535"><figcaption>Kaoru Mitoma of Japan celebrates victory.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Mitoma leads Japan injury crisis ahead of the 2026 World Cup</h2>



Japan arrive as one of the favorites in Group F of the 2026 World Cup. While the Netherlands and Sweden are strong teams, Hajime Moriyasu’s team has proven to be highly competitive with its offensive style of play. However, Kaoru Mitoma’s absence is not the only one, as they have suffered two other very significant losses, making their injury crisis for the tournament clear.


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Takumi Minamino suffered an ACL injury while playing for AS Monaco, ruling him out of the anticipated tournament. Alongside him, Wataru Endo was ruled out shortly before the start of the tournament due to persistent foot problems. With these numerous absences, head coach Hajime Moriyasu will have to notably readjust his style of play, making it more difficult to shine in the tournament.

Why Kaoru Mitoma is missing the 2026 World Cup for Japan

Why Kaoru Mitoma is missing the 2026 World Cup for Japan - World Soccer Talk

While teams were not yet required to officially name their 26-man <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> squads, Japan chose to remove any suspense and announce its list early. The squad led by Takefusa Kubo does not include Kaoru Mitoma or Takumi Minamino.



Japan’s progress over the past few years has been clear. That is reflected in the clubs these players represent, with only three of them, including two goalkeepers, playing in the domestic league.



Bad news for Hajime Moriyasu came with the absence of Mitoma, mainly because the midfielder picked up an injury while playing for Brighton last weekend. The manager said: “The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to return to fitness during the tournament.”



<h2>The list</h2>



Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki (Parma), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima)



Defenders: Yuto Nagamoto (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truidense), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Junnosuke Suzuki (Copenhagen), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/15192600/mitoma-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-644072"><figcaption>Mitoma isn’t on the list (Warren Little/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



Midfielders: Kaishu Sano (Mainz), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Ao Tanaka (Leeds), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Junya Ito (Genk)


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Forwards: Kaito Nakamura (Stade Reims), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Koki Ogawa (NEC), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Iori Suzuki (Freiburg), Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truidense), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Kaoru Ueda (Feyenoord)



<h2>The group</h2>



Japan was placed in Group F for the World Cup, where it will face three strong opponents: the Netherlands on June 14, Tunisia on June 21 and Sweden on June 26.

Japan confirm 2026 World Cup list led by Takefusa Kubo but without Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino

Japan confirm 2026 World Cup list led by Takefusa Kubo but without Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino - World Soccer Talk

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Why Kaoru Mitoma is missing the 2026 World Cup for Japan

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Japan confirm 2026 World Cup list led by Takefusa Kubo but without Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino