Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the absence of injured star Kaoru Mitoma the biggest talking point.
Despite concerns over fitness, Moriyasu has included several players who are either recovering from injuries or have only recently returned, such as Wataru Endo, Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu. However, there was no place for Brighton winger Mitoma, widely regarded as one of Japan’s most influential players, nor for Takumi Minamino.
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Kaoru Mitoma
The squad leans heavily on experience, highlighted by the inclusion of veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo, who is set to feature in his fifth World Cup.
Japan head into the tournament in strong form, having built momentum with impressive results over the past year, including wins against major nations and solid performances against top opposition.
Their confidence will be high as they look to build on their memorable run in 2022, when they defeated both Germany and Spain in the group stage.
Drawn into Group F, Japan will begin their campaign against the Netherlands in Dallas, before facing Tunisia and Sweden in their remaining matches.
With a blend of experience and emerging talent, Moriyasu’s side will once again aim to challenge the established powers and push deeper into the tournament.
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