Kaoru Mitoma, 28, has been omitted from Japan's World Cup squad due to a hamstring injury. The winger will miss his club's final two Premier League matches.
Japan's national football team has announced that Kaoru Mitoma, the 28-year-old winger for Brighton and Hove Albion, is missing from their upcoming FIFA World Cup squad. Mitoma sustained a hamstring injury during Brighton's recent 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and will not be available for his club's final two Premier League fixtures against Leeds United and Manchester United.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler expressed that the club must "be patient" with Mitoma's recovery, noting there is currently no clear timeline for his return. The winger's absence comes as a blow to Japan, who are set to face the Netherlands in their opening match of the World Cup on June 14th.
Japan's expanded squad for the tournament includes players from various clubs such as Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), and Daizen Maeda (Celtic). The 48-team event, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will begin on June 11th.
Japan's full squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Aya Suzuka (Parma Calcio). Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre AC), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junosuke Suzuki (FC Copenhagen). Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad). Forwards: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims), Ito Suzuki (SC Freiburg), Kento Shiode (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden).
With the World Cup set to commence on June 14th, Mitoma's absence is a significant loss for Japan. The team will face formidable opponents in Group F and must rely on their depth of talent to secure a strong showing in this prestigious tournament.
