'Tragedy Five Days Before Final World Cup Roster Announcement': Japan on High Alert as Ace Kaoru Mitoma Collapses

*This content was translated by AI.

The Japanese national football team, just ahead of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup, is now on "high alert." The reason is the injury news of Kaoru Mitoma (29, Brighton & Hove Albion), a key figure in the team's offense. This comes just five days before the announcement of the final World Cup roster.

On the 9th (Korea time), Mitoma started in the 36th round of the 2025-2026 English Premier League (EPL) match against Wolverhampton at the American Express Stadium in Brighton, UK, but was substituted in the 13th minute of the second half due to an injury.

Mitoma, who was running along the wing and receiving the ball with a shoulder trap, felt pain in the back of his left thigh and collapsed. He was ultimately substituted and could not continue playing. Although there has been no official statement from the club yet, local reports strongly suggest a hamstring injury.

The problem is that depending on the severity of the injury, not only could he be out for the rest of the season, but his participation in the 2026 North American World Cup also remains uncertain. The Japanese national team's final World Cup roster will be announced on the 15th. Considering the exact nature of Mitoma's injury and his expected recovery timeline, there is no way to rule out the possibility of him being excluded from the final roster.

Mitoma has been somewhat subdued this season with three goals and one assist in the EPL, but he is a key resource for the Japanese national team, having played in the EPL for four seasons, including last season when he recorded 10 goals and four assists. Including the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he has played 31 A-match games and scored nine goals, making him a strong favorite to lead the attack as an ace in this upcoming North American World Cup.

However, with the final World Cup roster announcement approaching, the injury has become a major setback, causing not only Mitoma but also the entire Japanese football community to become extremely tense. Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi reported on Mitoma's injury, stating, "A tragedy has struck five days before the final World Cup roster announcement," while Football Zone also conveyed, "Mitoma, who was preparing for the World Cup, has faced an unexpected situation ahead of the final roster announcement on the 15th."

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*This content was translated by AI.