'Japan in Panic Over Earthquake': Ace Mitoma Suffers Shocking Injury, World Cup Participation in Jeopardy; Specialist Says "If Tendon Is Injured, Surgery Is Inevitable, and He Cannot Play"

*This content was translated by AI.

An orthopedic specialist has diagnosed that Kaoru Mitoma (29, Brighton), a key striker for the Japanese national football team, faces difficulty participating in the World Cup if his hamstring injury involves tendon damage, stating that surgery would be unavoidable in such cases.

On the 11th, the Japanese media outlet "Tokyo Sports" reported that whether Mitoma can appear at the 2026 North American World Cup depends on whether the injury is limited to the muscle or extends to the tendon.

Citing the specialist's opinion, the outlet added, "If it is a simple tear of the biceps femoris muscle, recovery within three weeks can be expected, but if the tendon is also injured, it will require two to three months of recovery and necessitate surgery."

Hajime Moriyasu, the Japanese national team head coach, expressed concern on the 10th, stating, "I have received reports that this is not a minor injury." However, he left open the possibility of selection, saying, "If I judge that he can return during the tournament and handle high-intensity matches, he will be included in the final roster." As a result, the Japanese football community is closely monitoring Mitoma's recovery speed.

Earlier, Mitoma started in the 2025-2026 EPL Round 36 match against Wolverhampton at the American Express Stadium in Brighton, UK, on the 9th (Korean time), but was substituted off in the 13th minute of the second half due to an injury. While running along the flank and trapping the ball with his shoulder, he felt pain in his left hamstring and ultimately left the field limping while clutching his face.

The timing of the injury is critical. The Japanese national team is scheduled to announce its final World Cup roster on the 15th. Mitoma, who has struggled this season with three goals and one assist in the EPL due to injury setbacks, remains a key asset for the Japanese national team, having scored 10 goals and provided four assists last season, along with nine goals in 31 international matches.

Depending on the severity of the injury, there is a high possibility that Mitoma will miss not only the remainder of the season but also the first group stage match against the Netherlands on the 14th of next month at the 2026 North American World Cup. The media reported, "In the worst-case scenario, it cannot be guaranteed that he will even make the final World Cup roster."

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*This content was translated by AI.