Japan's Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring) uncertain for World Cup

Field Level Media|published: 05/14/2026, 6:53pm EDT

Japan midfielder Kaoru Mitoma (7) controls the ball as USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre (14) defends at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 9, 2025. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Kaoru Mitoma's availability to play for Japan in the World Cup is uncertain after the Brighton midfielder suffered a hamstring injury last weekend.

Mitoma will miss Brighton's final two matches of the Premier League season, beginning with Saturday's game at Leeds.

"Regarding the World Cup, I'm not sure yet. We'll be in touch with the Japan federation," Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler told reporters Thursday. "We really have to be patient with this injury, we cannot give a clear schedule."

Mitoma, 28, has nine goals in 31 appearance for Japan, and Hurzeler said he had "a big impact on our performances."

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu is scheduled to reveal his 26-player roster on Friday.

Japan is scheduled to play its final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland on May 31. They will then travel to the team's base camp in Nashville, Tenn., where Japan will train at the Nashville SC Training Center.

They begin their Group F play against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico on June 20 and Sweden back in Arlington on June 25.

--Field Level Media