Japan Names 26-Man World Cup Squad — Mitoma Out With Hamstring, Tomiyasu Returns After Two-Year Absence

Coach Hajime Moriyasu announced Japan's final 26-man World Cup squad in Tokyo on May 15, with Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma the most prominent omission — ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury in a Premier League fixture against Wolves. Moriyasu called Mitoma's absence 'a huge blow.' Arsenal/Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu makes a remarkable return to the Samurai Blue after nearly two years away from international football due to injury. Veteran left back Yuto Nagatomo is selected for a record-equalling fifth World Cup appearance — one of the landmark individual milestones of the 2026 tournament. The 26-man squad features six Bundesliga players. Full squad includes GK: Zion Suzuki, Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa; DEF: Nagatomo, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki; MID: Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Ao Tanaka, Kaishu Sano, Takefusa Kubo, Yuito Suzuki; FWD: Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Ayase Ueda, Keito Nakamura, Kento Shiogai, Keisuke Goto. Japan are in Group F: opening vs the Netherlands on June 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, then Tunisia (June 21, Guadalajara), Sweden (June 25, Arlington).