Japan's national team head coach Hajime Moriyasu announced the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 15, 2026, with Brighton & Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma notably absent. The Japan Football Association (JFA) confirmed that Mitoma was left out due to a hamstring injury sustained during the Premier League season.
Mitoma, 29, had been a key player for Japan in previous tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His absence is a significant blow to Japan's attacking options as they prepare for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The squad includes several other Europe-based players, such as Liverpool's Wataru Endo and Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo. Japan will begin their World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 15, 2026.
