[INJURY BULLETIN] Kaoru Mitoma Suffers Left Foot Injury, 5 Days Before World Cup Squad Announcement ─ Japan National Team Injury & Return Status Map

local_fire_department 5 days until the World Cup squad announcement (May 15). Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma suffered a left foot injury in the 55th minute against Wolves on May 9 (local time) and was forced off as an emergency substitution. With the very real possibility that Moriyas Japan's "trump card" could be lost at the last moment, this article compiles the latest injury map ahead of WC 2026 (opening June 11), including the injury and recovery status of other players expected to be named to the squad.

local_fire_department Kaoru Mitoma Suffers Left Foot Injury in 55th Minute vs. Wolves

Mitoma started in Premier League Matchweek 37 against bottom-side Wolverhampton on May 9 (local time), a match Brighton won convincingly 3-0. Brighton took control early — including a goal just 35 seconds in — but Mitoma suffered a left foot injury in the 55th minute while making a run in behind the defensive line. He was able to walk off the pitch under his own power and received treatment on the touchline, but could not continue and was replaced by Joel Veltman.

After the match, Soccer King and numerous other outlets simultaneously reported "Tragedy strikes just before World Cup squad announcement" and "Concerns over World Cup participation." Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler offered an optimistic view, stating "I don't think it's a serious injury," but as of now no details have been confirmed regarding scan results or a return timeline.

arrow_forward Date of injury: May 9, 2026 (local time)
arrow_forward Area injured: Left foot (possibly near the ankle / under examination)
arrow_forward Situation: Injured during a running motion; able to walk unassisted
arrow_forward Impact: An extremely critical 48 hours ahead of the World Cup squad announcement on May 15, the Iceland match on May 31, and the WC 2026 opening on June 11

Manager Moriyas has stated regarding Tomiyasu Takehiro that "if we can calculate that he'll be 100% during the tournament, of course I'd want to consider him," and it is expected that the criterion for selecting Mitoma will likewise be not the severity of the injury itself, but whether there is a realistic calculation that he will be ready in time for the main tournament.

info Key Players Aiming to Return from Serious Injuries

A summary of players fighting to be fit in time for the World Cup, right on the borderline.

Endo Wataru (Liverpool / Captain)

Injury: In February 2026, suffered a complete rupture of the right ankle Lisfranc ligament in a Premier League match and underwent major surgery involving an artificial ligament
Current status: At the end of April, Liverpool manager Arne Slot mentioned "he might be able to return before the end of the season"
Return target: Targeting a return to match action in the final match of the season or in the Champions League final at the end of May
WC 2026: Widely expected to be selected, given his role as a mental pillar of the squad as captain

Minamino Takumi (Monaco)

Injury: Rupture of the left knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
Current status: Recovering at a remarkable pace; reported to have entered the ball-work stage of rehabilitation
Return target: A return to competitive action this season is not realistic
WC 2026: Manager Moriyas has expressed trust in him, but remains cautious about selecting a player with no clear timeline for return to match play

Itakura Ko (Ajax)

Injury: Was sidelined with a back problem, but as of April the manager stated he was closer to returning than the other injured players
Current status: A return to matches at Ajax is coming into view
WC 2026: If he can return to competitive action imminently, selection looks promising

sports_soccer Key Players Already Back in Action and Performing Well

Players who were temporarily sidelined but have already returned to the fold. There are no major concerns regarding their condition, and selection looks highly likely.

Kamada Daichi (Crystal Palace)

Suffered a right hamstring injury in December 2025 and was sidelined, but returned as a substitute in the Brighton match on February 8, 2026. He has since established himself in the squad and continues to make regular appearances as the first-choice candidate for attacking midfielder.

Kubo Takefusa (Real Sociedad)

Suffered a left hamstring injury in La Liga Matchday 20 against Barcelona on January 18, but subsequently completed his rehabilitation and returned to action. His playing time in recent La Liga matches has been increasing, and concerns over his condition are showing signs of easing.

Ito Hiroki (Bayern)

Already returned to competitive action at Bayern following an extended absence. He is widely considered a certainty for World Cup selection as a key candidate for left back and the left side of a back three.

info New Injury Concerns That Have Emerged at the Last Moment

Maeda Daizen (Celtic)

Maeda, who plays for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, has also reportedly seen injury concerns emerge recently, with further tests expected to be conducted going forward. As a key player responsible for high-speed pressing in the front line, the results of those tests could influence squad selection.

Tomiyasu Takehiro (Ajax)

Has been carrying a right knee problem since before the start of the 2025 season, returned once in October before suffering a setback. Underwent surgery in February this year. To date, his appearances this season amount to just 1 match and a mere 6 minutes across all competitions. He also suffered a right hamstring injury in the match against Feyenoord in March, and both match sharpness and fitness remain major concerns. Manager Moriyas is considering his selection with an eye on his physical condition recovering during the tournament.

info Long-Term Absentees for Whom Participation Looks Difficult

Machida Hiroki (Hoffenheim) ─ Sidelined long-term with a left knee ACL rupture; return date undetermined
Hirakawa Yu (Hull City) ─ Ankle injury expected to keep him out for approximately 4 months; participation in the main tournament looks difficult
Taniguchi Shogo (Sint-Truiden) ─ Extended absence continues; has been absent from national team activities

calendar_month Squad Announcement on May 15, Then the Iceland Match on May 31

The Japan Football Association (JFA) will announce the 26-man World Cup squad at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 15. Manager Moriya Kazuyoshi, President Miyamoto Tsuneyoshi, and National Director Yamamoto Masabumi will be in attendance, and a live stream is also planned.

The send-off match following the squad announcement — the Iceland match kicking off at 7:25 PM on Sunday, May 31 — will be broadcast live nationwide on free-to-air Nippon TV. It will be the last opportunity for all 26 players to take to the pitch together before the main tournament.

The main tournament opens on Thursday, June 11. Japan are drawn in Group H alongside article Netherlands, article Tunisia, and article Sweden.

The results of Mitoma's scans are expected to be revealed within a few days, and depending on those results, Moriya Japan's final plans could be thrown into significant turmoil. This site will continue to provide updates as further news comes in.

star Related Links

- article Japan's predicted WC 2026 starting lineup and latest news here

- article WC 2026 Match Schedule Calendar