Mitoma Ruled Out of Japan’s World Cup Squad Due to Hamstring Injury

Kaoru Mitoma, the dynamic winger for Brighton & Hove Albion, will miss the upcoming World Cup after being left out of Japan's 26-man squad due to a hamstring injury. The 28-year-old sustained the injury during Brighton's recent 3-0 victory over Wolves, a setback that has dashed his hopes of representing his nation on the global stage.

The announcement by Japan's manager Hajime Moriyasu confirms earlier concerns about Mitoma's fitness. The injury is also set to sideline him for Brighton's final two Premier League fixtures of the season against Leeds United and Manchester United. This comes as a significant blow for both club and country, given Mitoma's influential role since his international debut in 2021, during which he has scored nine goals in 31 appearances for Japan.

Key Facts

Japan's World Cup Campaign

Japan is placed in Group F for the World Cup, where they are scheduled to commence their campaign on June 14 against the Netherlands. Following this, they will face Tunisia on June 21 and conclude their group stage matches against Sweden five days later. The absence of Mitoma will undoubtedly impact Japan's attacking options and tactical flexibility as they navigate a challenging group.

The expanded 48-team World Cup is set to kick off on June 11, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Moriyasu's squad features several prominent European-based players, including Liverpool's Wataru Endo, Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada, Ao Tanaka of Leeds, and Celtic's Daizen Maeda, who will now be relied upon to carry the team's hopes.

Squad Announcement Details

Manager Hajime Moriyasu officially named his squad on Friday, confirming the difficult decision regarding Mitoma. The full squad includes a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, with representatives from various top leagues across Europe and Asia.

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).

Impact on Brighton and Player Recovery

Brighton's head coach Fabian Hurzeler had previously indicated the severity of Mitoma's injury, stating on Thursday that the club would need to "really have to be patient" with his recovery. He added that there was "no clear schedule" for when the player would be fit again, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding his return to competitive football.

This news is a significant blow for Brighton as they conclude their Premier League season without one of their key attacking threats. For Mitoma, missing the World Cup is a major personal disappointment, especially after a season where his performances have continued to impress. His focus now shifts to a complete recovery, aiming to return stronger for both club and country in future competitions.

Fuente: BBC Sport Football RSS https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ckgpez39k50o?atmedium=RSS&atcampaign=rss