Japan Names Powerhouse 2026 World Cup Squad Despite Losing Brighton Star Mitoma

Right up until the morning of the official announcement, head coach Hajime Moriyasu was still making final decisions on his World Cup squad. That single detail speaks volumes about Japan's current situation — this isn't a straightforward selection process, but rather a manager grappling with meaningful choices, significant pressure, and a genuine conviction that his team can make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup.

The 26-player roster for the tournament, which kicks off June 11 across Canada, Mexico and the United States, is being hailed as the strongest squad Japan has ever assembled. Since returning to the helm following the Qatar World Cup, Moriyasu has given opportunities to more than 80 different players, proving the depth isn't just talk — it's tangible. However, Friday's big story wasn't about who made the cut, but rather who didn't.

Brighton winger ruled out

Kaoru Mitoma will miss the tournament entirely. After consultations between Brighton & Hove Albion's medical staff and Japanese federation doctors, the consensus was clear: he won't be match-fit in time. Moriyasu had no alternative but to proceed without him. For a national team that's been building serious momentum over the past two seasons — including victories over Germany in 2023, Brazil last October, and England this past March — losing their most explosive wide player at this critical juncture is a significant blow.

The absence also impacts Japan's tournament odds. Mitoma possesses the rare ability to alter matches in single moments of brilliance. Without his presence, opposing backlines have one less nightmare scenario to prepare for.

Still, the replacement situation isn't entirely bleak. Keito Nakamura, who plies his trade in France's Ligue 1 with Stade de Reims, impressed against Brazil when filling in for the injured Mitoma. These are precisely the types of opportunities Moriyasu's rotation-focused philosophy was designed to generate.

A transformed approach

Moriyasu has fundamentally restructured the team's operations since Qatar 2022. Specialist coaches now oversee attacking play, defensive organization, and set-piece execution independently, while Moriyasu orchestrates the broader tactical framework. It's a more sophisticated, professional structure — and in knockout-round football, set-piece proficiency often determines outcomes.

The manager hasn't shied away from asserting his authority either. He publicly called out Real Sociedad midfielder Takefusa Kubo in front of the entire squad for lackadaisical training efforts. That style of leadership either fractures team chemistry or strengthens resolve. Based on Japan's recent performances, it's clearly achieving the latter.

Perhaps the most controversial decision was including both Wataru Endo (Liverpool) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), despite both nursing injuries. Moriyasu's reasoning references the 2018 World Cup, when Shinji Okazaki and Takashi Inui recovered from comparable situations to contribute effectively in Russia. It's a measured risk — and if either player reaches even 80% fitness by the group phase, Japan's squad improves considerably.

• Japan's previous World Cup result: Eliminated in Round of 16, defeated by Croatia on penalties (Qatar 2022)
• 2026 objective: Advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in history
• Notable recent victories: Defeated Germany, Brazil, and England since Qatar 2022
• Major absence: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) — sidelined due to injury
• Fitness concerns: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax) both included despite injury issues

The Samurai Blue have defeated the caliber of teams you must overcome to win a World Cup. They've beaten Germany twice, along with Brazil and England. While the group-stage draw will play a crucial role, Japan enters this tournament with a legitimate argument — not as sentimental longshots, but as a tactically organized side with genuine squad depth and a manager who has clearly absorbed lessons from the Croatia heartbreak.

Following the Qatar elimination, Moriyasu inscribed "never forget the regret" in his match-day notebook. He's had three years to transform that pain into preparation.