According to the Japan Football Association, Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino will not be able to participate in the 2026 World Cup due to injuries. This is considered a big loss for the "Blue Samurai", especially when both are experienced players and play an important role in recent major campaigns.
However, the Japanese team still brought to the World Cup a very formidable force with a series of players playing in Europe. Prominent among them are Liverpool captain Wataru Endo, Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada, a player currently playing for Crystal Palace.
In defense, Japan continues to place its trust in experienced names such as Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ko Itakura and Hiroki Ito. Notably, veteran Yuto Nagatomo is still called up at the age of 40, marking another memorable World Cup in the career of this veteran defender.
In attack, the responsibility of scoring goals is likely to be placed on the shoulders of Ayase Ueda, Daizen Maeda and young talent Keisuke Goto.
At the 2026 World Cup, Japan falls into an uncomfortable group with the participation of the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia. "Blue Samurai" will kick off the campaign with a confrontation with the Netherlands on June 15.
