Just one match into the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2026 World Cup</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/japan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan</a> are already making an injury change in the lineup as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/takefusa-kubo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Takefusa Kubo</a> isn’t playing against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/tunisia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tunisia</a>.



The reason behind Kubo not playing in this match is a knee injury he sustained in Japan’s draw against the Netherlands. It was in an action that left him down in the 75th minute of action, being unable to continue as he was replaced last Sunday.



Kubo’s injury left Japan very worried as the issues have been piling up lately, with the team missing some huge names for them like Takumi Minamino or Kaoru Mitoma before the competition. This was also the case with team captain Wataru Endo, who had to be replaced from the final list.



<h2>Kubo’s future</h2>



While there were some concerns around Kubo’s future in the competition, Japan seem confident there are going to welcome the talented player back soon. Coming back against Sweden in the third match isn’t out of the question yet.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/20203812/kubo-1-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-657075"><figcaption>Kubo got injured against the Netherlands last Sunday (Francois Nel/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



The fixture does not help Japan very much as they are one of the teams that had to travel between countries during the groups round. After presenting themselves in Dallas, Japan now had to travel to Mexico for the Tunisia match before returning to their first city.


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This made it easier to see that Kubo is not going to even be on the bench because he didn’t even travel with the team. Instead, the left-footed player stayed in the team’s facilities in Nashville recovering properly to gain his best form.



<h2>Hajime Moriyasu’s view on the Tunisia match</h2>



This was a hit for the team as they rely on Kubo’s creativity to produce goal chances. For manager Hajime Moriyasu, this Tunisia represents a threat to them even after they lost 5-1 against Sweden. That made their Federation fire Sabri Lamouchi to hire Herve Renard, which could be a factor for Japan.



Moriyasu said: “Tunisia had a change of manager and will come out fighting with extremely high motivation, desperate to redeem the defeat from the first game in order to progress from the group stage. We must not be defensive against such a mentality and must be prepared to make the effort to win the match.”

Why isn’t Takefusa Kubo playing for Japan against Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup?

Why isn't Takefusa Kubo playing for Japan against Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup? - World Soccer Talk

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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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World Cup

Why isn’t Takefusa Kubo playing for Japan against Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup?

World Cup

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