"Endo OUT, Mitoma in Question": Japan's National Team is Amazing "Even with three Big Leaguers absent, it's an all-star squad, among the best in Asia"... North America WC roster announcement 'D-2'

*This content was translated by AI.

The final roster for the Japan national football team set to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is about to be announced. Major changes to the roster are expected due to injuries to key players.

Japanese football specialist "Soccer Digest" reported on the 12th on a prediction of the 26th players in the final World Cup roster that Coach Hajime Moriyasu will select. Coach Moriyasu is scheduled to announce the final 26-player roster on the 15th.

Long-term injured players, including team captain Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), and Koki Machida (Hoffenheim), are likely to be excluded from the roster. The media stated, "Even if they return within this season, considering their match fitness, selecting them would be like gambling."

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), who suffered a hamstring injury on the 9th, is also uncertain to be included. Coach Moriyasu has also expressed strong concern over Mitoma's injury status. The media predicted that even if Mitoma makes the roster, he will likely be limited to a "super sub" role with restricted playing time.

If Mitoma is ultimately left out, Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg), Koudai Sano (NEC Nijmegen), Ryunosuke Sato (FC Tokyo), and Shuto Machino (Borussia Mönchengladbach) are mentioned as replacement candidates.

For the defensive midfield position, the inclusion of Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Kai Shu Sano (Mainz), and Ao Tanaka (Leeds) is confirmed. For the remaining spot, it is expected that Hidemasa Morita (Sporting), who has not been called up to the national team for a year, will be pushed out by Joel Chima Fujita (St. Pauli), who was called up for the March A-match.

For the second-line attacking positions, the media predicted the surprise selection of 21-year-old prodigy Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg) alongside Junya Ito (Genk) and Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad). The media stated, "Although Shiogai has limited playing time at his club, he has the ability to change the flow of the game in short periods and will be utilized as a key joker."

For the left and right full-backs and wing-backs, the media listed Ritsu Doan (Frankfurt), Yukinari Sugawara (Bremen), Keito Nakamura (Stade Reims), and Daizen Maeda (Celtic FC). Additionally, it is expected that veteran Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), who will serve as the spiritual leader to fill the void left by captain Endo, will secure his fifth World Cup appearance.

At the forward line, it is expected that ace Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord) will lead the way, supported by high-scoring players Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen) and Kaiseke Goto (Sint-Truiden).

For the defense, the selection of Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), and Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich) is considered certain. Additionally, Junnosuke Suzuki (Copenhagen), Ko Itakura, and Takehiro Tomiyasu (both Ajax), and Ayumu Seko (Le Havre) are expected to join. In particular, Tomiyasu, whose recovery of form is crucial, is highly likely to be used as a card to solidify the defense in the latter half of matches.

For the goalkeeper position, it is predicted that Zayon Suzuki (Parma), Kaiseke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), and Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers) will comfortably secure the spots.

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*This content was translated by AI.