Kaoru Mitoma has been excluded from Japan’s 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup due to injury concerns. His absence raises questions about Japan’s forward depth as they prepare for the prestigious tournament.
Mitoma’s Injury Update
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler stated that the club must exercise patience regarding Mitoma’s recovery. He emphasized that there is currently no definitive timeline for Mitoma’s return to fitness.
World Cup Details
The expanded 48-team World Cup is set to kick off on June 11. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking a historic moment for football.
Japan’s World Cup Squad
Despite the absence of Mitoma, Japan has assembled a talented squad. Here is a look at the players selected:
Goalkeepers
- Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers)
- Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
- Aya Suzuka (Parma Calcio)
Defenders
- Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo)
- Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden)
- Ko Itakura (Ajax)
- Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord)
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax)
- Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich)
- Ayumu Seko (Le Havre AC)
- Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen)
- Junosuke Suzuki (FC Copenhagen)
Midfielders
- Wataru Endo (Liverpool)
- Junya Ito (Genk)
- Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace)
- Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen)
- Daizen Maeda (Celtic)
- Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Ao Tanaka (Leeds United)
- Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05)
- Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)
Forwards
- Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord)
- Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims)
- Ito Suzuki (SC Freiburg)
- Kento Shiode (Wolfsburg)
- Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden)
Japan’s squad boasts a mix of experienced and emerging talents, making them a competitive force in the upcoming tournament.
