Kolkata : Japan National Football team has announced their squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 which is set to begin on June 12, 2026.
However their pillar Kaoru Mitoma has missed it due to his ongoing struggles with hamstring sustained during Premier League clash against Wolves.
Referring to Mitoma’s injury after the Japan squad announcement, Moriyasu said, “The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament.”
Mitoma was instrumental in Japan’s dream run in FIFA World Cup 2022 where they shocked Germany and Spain.
Despite his absence, Japan picked a balanced squad comprising both experienced players and young talents.
Led by Hajime Moriyasu, Japan will be keen for a good run as they share the World Cup group with giants like the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia. The Asian side will open their campaign with a difficult fixture against the Dutch in Texas on June 14.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has been called up for the World Cup as Moriyasu kept faith in his years-long experience at the big stage. He has remained out of the national set-up for two years due to prolonged injury issues. The 27-year-old central defender last featured in the Japan shirt in a match against Syria in 2024. He was part of the squad in the March international window but later withdrew.
Premier League stars like Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada and Liverpool’s Wataru Endo are among the 26 players, while Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and FC Tokyo full-back Yuto Nagatomo have also been included. Wolfsburg’s Kento Shiogai, who made his Japan debut in a 1-0 win over Scotland in March, will make his World Cup debut.
Japan Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 :
Defenders – Yuto Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki.
Midfielders – Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Yuito Suzuki.
Forwards – Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Ayase Ueda, Keito Nakamura, Kento Shiogai, Keisuke Goto.
