Mitoma Injured, Excluded from Japan's World Cup Squad

Kaoru Mitoma, a 28-year-old winger for Brighton & Hove Albion, has been excluded from Japan's World Cup squad due to a hamstring injury sustained during Brighton's 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton in the Premier League last weekend. The medical team is assessing his condition, but it has been deemed difficult for him to recover in time for the tournament.

Japan's coach, Hajime Moriyasu, announced the squad in Tokyo, which notably does not include Monaco forward Takumi Minamino, who is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Japan is placed in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, starting their campaign against the Dutch on June 14 in Arlington, Texas.

Mitoma was recognized as one of Japan's best players, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 friendly victory against England at Wembley in March and playing a key role in Japan's surprising wins over Germany and Spain during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they ultimately lost to Croatia in the Round of 16.