[Prediction Update – 2 Days to Go] Japan National Team World Cup 2026 Squad Announcement in 2 Days | Kaoru Mitoma Drops Out Due to Injury, Wataru Endo Sneaks In, Takumi Minamino Set for Surprise Return
The press conference announcing the final 26-man roster for the Japan National Team at World Cup 2026 is scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026 at 14:00. With 2 days remaining, on May 13, our outlet has updated its predicted 26-man squad following Kaoru Mitoma's extended absence (estimated recovery time: 2 months). We now predict Mitoma and Yuki Ohashi to miss out, while Takumi Minamino earns a surprise recall and captain Wataru Endo sneaks into the selection. Our predictions of a shock return for Yuto Nagatomo and a surprise call-up for Junnosuke Suzuki remain unchanged. Manager Hajime Moriyasu's final decision will be revealed on May 15.
local_fire_department [Emergency Update – May 13, 2026] Following Kaoru Mitoma's left foot injury sustained in the Wolves match on May 9, for which he has been diagnosed with a 2-month recovery period, and Hiroki Machida's long-term ACL absence, this publication has fully revised its predictions. We now predict Kaoru Mitoma and Hiroki Machida will miss the squad, Takumi Minamino — still working his way back to fitness — will earn a surprise call-up, captain Wataru Endo, who had appeared likely to be omitted due to limited playing time at Liverpool, will squeeze into the squad, and Go Watanabe will be selected as a CB to replace Machida. Yuki Ohashi drops out of our predicted squad as a result of Endo's and Minamino's returns. With just two days until the announcement, the final decision rests with manager Moriyasu's press conference at 14:00 on May 15.
info [Related Summary] Japan National Team WC 2026 – 26-Man Squad List Page open_in_new — Features a position-by-position grid, internal links to existing "Player Profiles" columns, 5 predicted omissions, and FAQs. For in-depth articles on each player, please visit /japan-squad open_in_new.
On Friday, May 15, 2026, at 14:00, the Japan Football Association (JFA) will hold the WC 2026 Final Registered Squad Announcement Press Conference. The 26 members of SAMURAI BLUE, led by manager Hajime Moriyasu, will finally be revealed. This publication presents its current predicted 26-man squad and further discloses notable predicted omissions by position.
calendar_month Press Conference Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Friday, May 15, 2026, 14:00– (JST) |
| Venue | JFA House (Soccer Street, Bunkyo, Tokyo) |
| Presenters | Japan National Team Manager Hajime Moriyasu / JFA Honorary President Kozo Tashima, and others |
| Announcement | WC 2026 Final Registered Squad — 26 players (per FIFA regulations) |
| Broadcast | JFA Official YouTube · NHK · Commercial broadcasters (scheduled) |
| Q&A | One-on-one manager interview scheduled after the press conference |
info FIFA Regulations on Squad Registration
From WC 2026 onwards, the squad size has been expanded from the previous 23-player limit to 26 players. The requirement to include 3 GKs remains unchanged, and the regulations allow greater flexibility for injury replacements during the tournament.
local_fire_department Key Storylines
1. Five Consecutive World Cup Appearances — The Deepest Talent Pool Ever
Japan's national team topped their group at the 2022 Qatar tournament after defeating Germany and Spain, before losing to Croatia on penalties in the Round of 16. Three and a half years on from that heartbreak, a "greatest-ever generation" — with more than 10 players serving as key figures at Europe's top five leagues — now enters the final selection.
2. Manager Hajime Moriyasu — A Decision in His Third Year of Renewed Tenure
Manager Hajime Moriyasu, who agreed to a contract extension with the JFA in 2024, takes on the achievement of leading Japan at two consecutive World Cups in his seventh year in charge. Building on the legacy of the Qatar tournament, he has publicly declared his goal of reaching "a new horizon" — a quarterfinal finish.
3. Back-to-Back Wins on the April European Tour, but Key Players Pick Up Injuries Just Before May
On the April European tour, Japan delivered a stunning run of performances, defeating Scotland 1–0 (Junya Ito's winning goal) and England 1–0 (Kaoru Mitoma's winning goal). However, the situation changed dramatically when Mitoma sustained a left foot injury on May 9, diagnosed with a two-month recovery period. How to balance injured players against those returning to fitness has become the central question ahead of the May 15 announcement.
star This Publication's Predictions — Japan's 26-Man WC Squad
The following is this publication's editorial prediction in its latest revision dated May 13, 2026 (originally published April 17, reconstructed following Kaoru Mitoma's injury). Please await the JFA's official announcement at 14:00 on May 15 for the final decision.
sports_soccer GK — 3 Players
| Player | Club | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Zion Suzuki | Parma (ITA) | First-choice GK in Serie A; his place as No. 1 is all but certain |
| Keisuke Osako | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | Qatar veteran serving as backup; second domestic GK option |
| Tomoki Hayakawa | Kashima Antlers | Edges out rivals in the No. 3 GK battle to secure the third spot |
sports_soccer DF — 9 Players
| Player | Club | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Ko Itakura | Borussia MG (GER) | Centerpiece of the back three, defensive cornerstone |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | Arsenal (ENG) | Immediately back as a regular after returning; right side of the back three |
| Go Watanabe | Feyenoord (NED) | Replacement for injured Machida. Partners Ayase Ueda at Feyenoord; handled the left of the back three, started as CB against England for Japan |
| Shogo Taniguchi | Al-Rayyan (QAT) | Veteran experience to complement the CB unit |
| Yukinari Sugawara | Southampton (ENG) | First choice at right wingback |
| Hiroki Ito | Bayern Munich (GER) | Doubles up as left wingback and CB; wealth of experience at Bayern |
| Ayumu Seko | Grasshopper (SUI) | Fourth CB option; pushing through from the younger ranks |
| Yuto Nagatomo | FC Tokyo | Shock predicted return. The 39-year-old legend going for a fifth World Cup; left-back backup and spiritual pillar |
| Junchiro Suzuki | FC Copenhagen (DEN) | Surprise call-up. The 22-year-old demonstrated composed performances against Brazil; versatile left-footed CB/SB |
sports_soccer MF — 11 Players
| Player | Club | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Hidemasa Morita | Sporting CP (POR) | Linchpin of the inside half role; mainstay of the midfield |
| Ao Tanaka | Leeds (ENG) | Defensive midfielder; hub of ball distribution |
| Daichi Kamada | Crystal Palace (ENG) | Attacking midfielder; improved goal threat |
| Kaishu Sano | Mainz (GER) | Defensive MF; plugs the gap left by Endo |
| Joel Fujita | Feyenoord (NED) | Versatile holding midfielder |
| Wataru Endo | Liverpool (ENG) | Squeezes in. Captain, 33, returns at the eleventh hour. Returns to the squad as a spiritual pillar to compensate for the inexperience of Sano, Morita, and Tanaka |
| Takumi Minamino | Monaco (FRA) | Surprise call-up. Age 31. Has been out since December last year, but resumed ball-work training in May; returns as an immediate option at left shadow following Mitoma's two-month absence |
| Takefusa Kubo | Real Sociedad (ESP) | Right winger/shadow; embodies creativity |
| Ritsu Doan | Frankfurt (GER) | Right winger/shadow; goal threat |
| Junya Ito | Lens (FRA) | Ace in the hole at right wingback; scored the winner against Scotland |
| Keito Nakamura | Stade de Reims (FRA) | Left winger; thrives in the shadow role |
sports_soccer FW — 3 Players
| Player | Club | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Ayase Ueda | Feyenoord (NED) | First-choice striker at centre-forward |
| Daizen Maeda | Celtic (SCO) | Pace-based forward; high-press specialist |
| Koki Ogawa | NEC Nijmegen (NED) | Hold-up play second option; on the rise since 2024 |
info Breakdown: GK 3 + DF 9 + MF 11 + FW 3 = 26 Total
:warning: This Publication's Predicted Omissions — 5 Key Players We Expect to Miss Out (Updated May 13)
Following Kaoru Mitoma's injury on May 9 (two-month recovery), this publication has fully reconstructed its predictions. We predict the following 5 players will miss the squad due to injury, distance from the national team, the emergence of younger players, and competition for places.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) — Predicted Omission
The biggest blow in this publication's predictions. Mitoma suffered a left foot injury in the Wolves match on May 9, and Brighton announced a two-month recovery period. With roughly one month remaining until Japan's WC group stage opener (June 15 vs. Netherlands), there is not enough time to recover and regain match sharpness; this publication predicts manager Moriyasu will make the agonising decision to leave him out. Although Mitoma scored the winner against England in April, the expected call reflects a priority on team balance and ensuring the squad enters the tournament in peak condition.
Hiroki Machida (Hoffenheim) — Predicted Omission
Machida ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Bundesliga opener in August 2025 and has been on a long-term absence. Although he rejoined partial team training in April, there is no guarantee he can play full matches at high intensity in the World Cup itself, and this publication regretfully predicts he will not be selected. Go Watanabe (Feyenoord) is expected to be called up as his replacement for the left side of the back three.
Yuki Ohashi (Blackburn) — Predicted Omission
Initially considered the frontrunner for a surprise call-up in the context of "left winger/second striker" as a stand-in for Mitoma, this publication now sees him squeezed out of the 26-man squad by Wataru Endo's last-minute inclusion and Takumi Minamino's surprise return. His eye for goal in the English Championship is genuine, but given the demands of the World Cup itself, the editorial view is that the left flank is better served as a unit by the experience of Minamino, Ito, and Nakamura.
Hiroki Hashioka (Luton Town) — Predicted Omission
While maintaining playing time in the lower reaches of the Premier League, this publication predicts he will fall just outside the cut, given Yuto Nagatomo's shock predicted return and the solidity of Yukinari Sugawara and Hiroki Ito. His value as a right-side utility player is high, but we see him coming up just short in the 26-man battle.
Seiya Maikuma (Cerezo Osaka) — Predicted Omission
Continues to deliver consistent performances in J.League, but in this publication's prediction, manager Moriyasu places high value on Junchiro Suzuki's left-footedness and ability to play multiple positions, and we see Maikuma losing the final spot for a domestic-based fullback. His experience and readiness to step in if called remains intact.
Reo Hatate (Celtic) — Predicted Omission
A key player for Celtic, but in this publication's prediction he is squeezed out of midfield and wide positions by Wataru Endo's last-minute inclusion and Takumi Minamino's surprise return. A painful predicted omission for a player who can cover midfield and the flanks alike, but this publication records it as its current assessment.
info These omissions are this publication's predictions only, and represent forecasts at the current time. Manager Moriyasu's final decision will be made on May 15.
sports_soccer Other Borderline Players
On the Bubble: Players This Publication Rates as "50/50"
| Player | Position | Club | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takuma Asano | FW | Mallorca (ESP) | Hero of the Germany match at Qatar; drop in pecking order as younger players emerge |
| Mao Hosoya | FW | Kashiwa Reysol | Goals on September call-up earned recognition; competing for third domestic FW spot |
| Sota Kitano | FW | Salzburg (AUT) | Key question is whether he can secure playing time at his new club |
| Daishiro Nozawa Brandon | GK | Kashiwa Reysol | Rising through U-23; could there be a skipped-age surprise? |
| Keiin Sato | MF | Bremen (GER) | Surprise candidate among European-based midfielders; also usable on the wing |
| Kodai Sano | MF | NEC Nijmegen (NED) | Growing in the Dutch league; surprise candidate on both sides of the ball |
Potential Late Additions: Wildcard Spots
- Yuito Suzuki (Brøndby): Sharp rise in 2025–26 season; could emerge depending on May domestic camp
- Daiki Sekine (Kashiwa Reysol): Candidate as a domestic right-back option and wildcard
- Shun Kawabe (RCD Mallorca): Re-evaluated in Europe; emerging as a candidate to succeed Endo
sports_soccer Predicted Formation
Built around the 3-4-2-1 that manager Moriyasu has used in recent years, the setup is expected to centre on a single striker, two shadows, and wingbacks. In the April match against England, the team also shifted to a 4-2-3-1 at times, and "the flexibility to use multiple systems" is set to be key to advancing from Group F.
- 3-4-2-1: Defensively focused shape, sitting compact and hitting on the counter
- 4-2-3-1: Possession-based shape, building play to break down opponents
- 3-4-3 / 4-3-3: Used in part as an accent depending on the opponent
Predicted Starting XI (3-4-2-1 — vs. Netherlands)
- FW (centre-forward): Ayase Ueda
- Left shadow: Takumi Minamino (replacing injured Mitoma) / Right shadow: Takefusa Kubo
- Left wingback: Hiroki Ito / Right wingback: Yukinari Sugawara
- Double pivot: Hidemasa Morita / Ao Tanaka
- Back three (left→centre→right): Hiroki Machida / Ko Itakura / Takehiro Tomiyasu
- GK: Zion Suzuki
info Following Mitoma's injury, Minamino slots in at left shadow, forming a two-shadow system alongside Kubo. Hiroki Ito and Yukinari Sugawara drive the attack from the wingback positions, the midfield double pivot is Morita and Tanaka, and the backline is a back three of Machida, Itakura, and Tomiyasu.
calendar_month Schedule After the Announcement
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday, May 15, 14:00 | Squad announcement press conference (this article's event) |
| Late May | National team domestic camp (Chiba · Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field) |
| Sunday, May 31 | Kirin Challenge Cup: Japan vs. Iceland (National Stadium · 19:20 KO) |
| Early June | Departure for North America, local training camp (Dallas or Houston) |
| June 15 | WC group stage opener: Japan vs. Netherlands (GL Matchday 1 · AT&T Stadium) |
| June 21 | Matchday 2: Japan vs. Tunisia (BBVA · Monterrey) |
| June 26 | Matchday 3: Japan vs. Sweden (AT&T Stadium · Dallas) |
favorite Editor's Note
"Once more in June, let a miracle shake the Japanese archipelago to its core" — four years on from that night in Doha, the 26 members of a more mature and more ambitious SAMURAI BLUE will be unveiled at 14:00 on May 15.
In this publication's latest prediction (updated May 13), Kaoru Mitoma is a predicted omission through injury, Hiroki Machida is also a predicted omission through his ACL absence, and Yuki Ohashi drops out of the predicted squad after losing the battle for places — while captain Wataru Endo squeezed in at the last moment, Takumi Minamino makes a surprise return, and Go Watanabe is predicted as a CB call-up to replace Machida. Yuto Nagatomo's shock predicted return and Junchiro Suzuki's surprise predicted call-up remain unchanged. Will this be a new-format squad in which veterans and a new generation coexist — or will manager Moriyasu make yet another unexpected choice? To make sure you don't miss the 14:00 reveal on May 15, we recommend adding it to your Google Calendar now.
Approximately two months remain until the World Cup itself. This site plans to publish live breaking news coverage on the day of the announcement.
info Related Links
- article WC 2026 Full Schedule
- article Japan National Team Fixtures & Results
- article Group F Draw Details
- article Japan National Team Details
- article News List