In what can only be described as a catastrophic blow to Japan’s 2026 World Cup ambitions, Brighton’s talismanic winger Kaoru Mitoma has officially been left out of the Samurai Blue’s 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament. The 28-year-old’s tournament dreams evaporated in an instant last weekend during the Seagulls’ 3-0 thumping of Wolves, where he pulled up with a severe hamstring injury. The timing couldn’t be worse; the injury not only sidelines him for the biggest tournament on earth, but it also rules him out of Brighton’s final Premier League fixtures against Leeds United and Manchester United. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler offered little comfort to anxious fans, urging patience and admitting that the medical staff simply cannot give a clear schedule for his return.
The devastating news has sent shockwaves through the Japanese camp, leaving manager Hajime Moriyasu visibly emotional during Friday’s squad announcement. Moriyasu didn’t mince words, openly acknowledging that the team has lost its most dangerous attacking weapon.
“This will hurt him more than it hurts anyone,” a heavy-hearted Moriyasu told reporters. “I hope once he gets over this, he will recover as quickly as possible and get back to playing with total freedom.”
It is easy to see why the manager is taking the news so hard. Since making his international debut in 2021, Mitoma has racked up nine goals in 31 appearances, establishing himself as Japan’s premier 1v1 specialist and the creative engine on the left flank. His unique ability to unlock stubborn defenses with his explosive pace and world-class dribbling is practically irreplaceable, leaving a massive tactical void for Japan to fill over the next few weeks.
With the expanded 48-team tournament kicking off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Japan faces a brutal test in Group F. The Samurai Blue are scheduled to open their campaign against the Netherlands on June 14, before facing Tunisia on June 21 and wrapping up the group stage against Sweden five days later.
Without Mitoma’s star power, the burden of leadership now shifts entirely to Japan’s remaining European-based core. Heavy expectations will fall on the shoulders of Liverpool’s midfield anchor Wataru Endo, Crystal Palace’s playmaker Daichi Kamada, and Real Sociedad’s dynamic Takefusa Kubo. Alongside Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka and Celtic’s Daizen Maeda, these stars will need to step up and reinvent Japan’s attack if they want to escape a demanding group and make a deep run in North America.
