Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma could face a battle to be fit for next month’s World Cup after suffering an apparent hamstring injury while playing in the English Premier League on Saturday.
The winger limped off in the 58th minute of Brighton and Hove Albion’s 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers after suddenly holding the back of his left thigh while chasing a ball and going down.
Mitoma reportedly left the stadium on crutches, which will be a major concern for Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who will name his World Cup squad on Friday.
«We have to wait for the scan, then we can clarify it,» said Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler when reporters asked him about Mitoma’s injury after the match.
«Of course it didn’t look great, but I’m a positive person and I’m staying positive about it. It looked like a hamstring injury, but let’s wait and see if it’s an injury or not.»
Japan begins its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, Texas. The country will also face Tunisia and Sweden in Group F.
Published on May 10, 2026
