Japan’s Minamino is supporting the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in the role of mentor

Takumi Minamino will feature in Japan’s World Cup campaign despite still recovering from injury, with the forward taking on a mentor role and looking to provide «maximum support» to the squad.

The Japan international tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while playing for AS Monaco in December, an injury that typically sidelines players for six to nine months, ending his hopes of competing in the finals.

The 31-year-old’s injury is a major blow for Japan. The former Liverpool player played 73 games and scored 26 goals for Samurai Blue.

Minamino was a key figure in Japan’s qualifying campaign but will now also contribute off the pitch after being called up to the World Cup line-up to provide support based on his own experience.

“I am especially happy to join this group,” Minamino told Japan’s Kyodo News on Wednesday. “A lot of people have helped me get here and I hope to give the team maximum support by offering my personal experience and coming up with my own approach.”

«As expected, the first weeks were tough. Injuries are an essential part of being an athlete, but the timing of them and of course the emotion I had for this World Cup,» said Minamino.

Minamino’s role reflects a trend among teams to value influence off the field as much as impact on it. Australia have taken a similar approach by appointing Martin Boyle as “Official Vibes Manager” for their campaign, while Japan will also lean on former captain Maya Yoshida, who has been included in the World Cup line-up as a support player.

Japan heads to its eighth consecutive World Cup final buoyed by a string of high-profile victories and with coach Hajime Moriyasu optimistic about its chances of reaching the final stages of the tournament.

Japan is drawn in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia and opens its campaign against the Netherlands on June 14 at the Dallas Stadium in Texas.

Published on June 10, 2026