Why doesn’t Kaoru Mitoma play for Japan in FIFA World Cup 2026?

Japan will be without the services of its winger Kaoru Mitoma during the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mitoma, 29, who plays for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League, was left out of Samurai Blue’s squad after suffering a hamstring injury last month which required surgery.

Mitoma played 31 international matches for Japan and scored nine goals. He was crucial to Japan’s World Cup qualification, scoring three goals in the Asian qualifiers.

Japan is in group F with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia.

Published on June 15, 2026