Japan Announces 2026 World Cup Squad Without Mitoma and Minamino

The Japan Football Association (JFA) has officially announced its 26-player squad for the 2026 World Cup. This roster brings a major surprise: two of Japan's star players competing professionally in Europe, Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino, have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

Mitoma's absence is a devastating loss for the Samurai Blue. The dynamic Brighton & Hove Albion winger is established as one of Japan's primary attacking engines, renowned for his explosive pace and elite 1v1 dueling ability.

Meanwhile, AS Monaco attacker Takumi Minamino also failed to make the squad, having not yet completed a full recovery from his own injury.

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has assembled a balanced roster combining veteran senior players with a fast-developing new generation currently active across top European leagues.

One of the most notable selections is veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo. The experienced campaigner will make his fifth consecutive World Cup appearance, cementing his status as one of Japan's defining Football icons over the past two decades.

As confirmed via JFA's official social media channels, Nagatomo will lead the defensive line alongside Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, and Junnosuke Suzuki.

Moriyasu also included several players who only recently returned from injury to preserve squad balance. Wataru Endo, Ko Itakura, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all retain their positions as core pillars of the Samurai Blue setup.

Japan retains impressive depth in midfield, with Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, and Ao Tanaka all named to the squad.

The combined creativity and mobility of this midfield group is expected to uphold Japan's signature high-tempo playing identity.

Japan's attacking line will be led by Keisuke Goto, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, and Ayase Ueda. The Goalkeeper positions have been awarded to Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, and Zion Suzuki.

At the 2026 World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico between 11 June and 19 July, Japan have been drawn into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.

This group is projected to deliver extremely tight competition, though Japan enter the tournament with very high confidence.

The Samurai Blue have recorded significant consistent improvement over recent years. After shocking the world by defeating both Germany and Spain at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Japan has continued to post impressive international results.

Over the last 12 months alone, they have held Mexico to a draw, secured an away victory against Brazil, and claimed an away win over England.

Built on disciplined structured play and growing self-belief, Japan remains widely regarded as one of Asia's most dangerous contenders at the 2026 World Cup, even despite the critical absences of Mitoma and Minamino.

Japan Squad for 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki

Defenders: Tomoya Ando, Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tsuyoshi Watanabe

Midfielders: Ritsu Doan, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka

Forwards: Keisuke Goto, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, Ayase Ueda