Injured Mitoma Left Out of Japan’s World Cup Squad

Key Player Misses Out on World Cup Dream

Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma has been left out of Japan’s 26-man squad for the World Cup this summer. The 28-year-old sustained a hamstring injury in the Seagulls’ 3-0 win against Wolves last weekend and will miss the club’s final two Premier League games of the season against Leeds United and Manchester United.

Japan’s World Cup Campaign

Japan, placed in Group F, will kick off their tournament against the Netherlands on 14 June, followed by matches against Tunisia on 21 June and Sweden five days later. The expanded 48-team World Cup is scheduled to start on 11 June and will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Manager’s Reaction and Squad Details

Manager Hajime Moriyasu announced his squad on Friday. Notable inclusions feature Wataru Endo of Liverpool, Daichi Kamada from Crystal Palace, Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka, and Celtic’s Daizen Maeda. Speaking after the announcement, an emotional Moriyasu stated that Japan had lost “a major presence” in Mitoma. He added, “This will hurt him more than it hurts anyone. I hope once he gets over this, he will recover as quickly as possible and get back to playing with total freedom.”

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler had previously commented on Thursday that the club “really have to be patient” with Mitoma’s injury, indicating that “we cannot give a clear schedule” for his return to fitness.