Japan will look to earn its first win at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they play Tunisia in the Group F match at Monterrey Stadium on Saturday.
Samurai Blue came back twice to hold European heavyweight Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their opening match.
Why isn’t Takefusa Kubo playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Tunisia and Japan?
When Japan’s line-up for the match against Tunisia was announced, Takefusa Kubo’s name was not listed, not even on the bench.
Japanese fans will hope it is a precautionary measure by coach Hajime Moriyasu after Kubo took a blow to the knee in the 71st minute against the Netherlands and was subsequently replaced by Koki Ogawa.
He scored Japan’s first equalizer against the Netherlands with Keito Nakamura. Kubo’s injury would add further misery to Moriyasu, who is left with a depleted World Cup squad without first-team regulars such as Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo and Takumi Minamino.
According to reports, the 25-year-old was seen leaving the stadium in a wheelchair after the opening match.
Published on June 21, 2026
