Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma has been left out of the country’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury, dealing a major blow to the Samurai Blue’s hopes of progressing beyond the round of 16 for the first time.

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu announced the squad on Friday in Tokyo, confirming that the Brighton star would miss the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury during Brighton’s 3-0 Premier League victory over Wolves last weekend.

“The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” Moriyasu said.

Mitoma, 28, has been one of Japan’s standout performers in recent years and scored the winner in the country’s 1-0 friendly victory over England at Wembley in March.

He also played a crucial role in Japan’s shock victories over Germany and Spain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before they were eliminated by Croatia on penalties in the round of 16.

Japan will also be without Monaco forward Takumi Minamino, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December.

The Japanese side have been drawn in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia, and will begin their World Cup campaign against the Dutch in Arlington, Texas on June 14.

Despite injury concerns, Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was included in the 26-man squad even though he has not featured for Japan since June 2024.

Other notable players selected include Liverpool captain Wataru Endo, Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada, and Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo.

Wolfsburg forward Kento Shiogai, who earned his first international cap in March against Scotland, also made the squad.