Kaoru Mitoma will not be on the pitch for Japan at the 2024 FIFA World Cup after suffering an ankle ligament injury during a training session in Tokyo last Wednesday. The 26-year-old’s absence leaves a significant gap in Japan’s attacking options, with head coach Hajime Moriyasu forced to revise his squad selection just days before the tournament kicks off in the United States.
Moriyasu confirmed Mitoma’s exclusion in a press conference on Sunday, describing the injury as a Grade 2 sprain that requires at least six weeks of recovery. The decision comes as a double blow after Japan also lost midfielder Gaku Shibasaki to a calf strain, leaving just 24 fit players in the squad. A replacement player has not yet been named, with Moriyasu citing the need to assess further medical reports before making a final call.
Key Points
- ⚡ Mitoma’s ankle injury was sustained during a training session in Tokyo on June 12
- 📊 Japan’s World Cup squad was trimmed to 26 players before the tournament
- 💡 Moriyasu confirmed the injury is a Grade 2 sprain, ruling out a quick return
The loss of Mitoma is particularly damaging given his form for Brighton & Hove Albion this season, where he scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in the Premier League. His absence will force Japan to rely more heavily on Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo, and Keita Endo to provide creativity in the final third. Moriyasu has also hinted at tactical adjustments, potentially shifting to a more direct style to compensate for the lack of width Mitoma typically provides.
| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaoru Mitoma | Winger | Grade 2 ankle sprain | Ruled out |
| Gaku Shibasaki | Midfielder | Calf strain | Ruled out |
| Hiroki Sakai | Defender | Hamstring tightness | Doubtful |
Japan’s opening match against Germany in Dallas on June 19 looms as a stern test of Moriyasu’s revised tactics. The German side, ranked second in the world, will likely exploit any defensive vulnerabilities caused by the absence of Mitoma’s overlapping runs. Moriyasu’s squad has been in isolation at a training camp in Chiba Prefecture, where fitness assessments have been conducted daily to monitor the progress of injured players.
💡 Pro Tip
Teams without a natural winger like Mitoma may find success in using a false nine or deploying a second striker to drift wide, as seen in Japan’s recent friendly against Brazil where Endo and Kubo linked up effectively.
Mitoma’s injury adds to a growing list of concerns for Japan, who have already faced criticism over their defensive frailties in recent matches. The team’s backline, missing key players like Maya Yoshida due to suspension, has conceded 11 goals in their last five fixtures. Moriyasu’s decision to leave out experienced defenders like Masato Morishige in favor of younger options has drawn scrutiny, with some pundits questioning the balance of the squad.
📋 By The Numbers
- 10 — Goals scored by Mitoma for Brighton in the 2023-24 Premier League season
- 12 — Assists provided by Mitoma in the same season
- 11 — Goals conceded by Japan in their last five matches
- 2 — Players now ruled out of Japan’s World Cup squad due to injury
The Japan Football Association announced that Mitoma will remain in Tokyo for further treatment under the supervision of the team’s medical staff. Meanwhile, Moriyasu has convened an emergency meeting with his coaching staff to finalize the squad’s revised lineup for the tournament. Speculation is rife over who will replace Mitoma, with rising star Shuto Machino of Vissel Kobe tipped as a potential call-up if Moriyasu opts for a more attacking formation.
- June 12 — Mitoma sustains ankle injury during training in Tokyo
- June 14 — Moriyasu confirms Mitoma’s exclusion from the World Cup squad
- June 16 — Squad training resumes in Chiba Prefecture ahead of departure
- June 19 — Japan faces Germany in Dallas in the World Cup opener
With the World Cup just days away, Japan’s World Cup campaign hangs in the balance. The loss of Mitoma, a player who has delivered in high-pressure moments for both club and country, is a blow that will test the depth and resilience of a squad already grappling with defensive instability. The tournament, set to kick off in a week, now presents Moriyasu with one of the toughest challenges of his managerial career.