'Japan's ace felled' in first match: Major setback, Kubo's knee injury → Direct substitution request OUT

*This content was translated by AI.

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North, Central America and the Caribbean, the Japan national football team, which had been plagued by injury misfortunes, faced yet another injury variable from the very first match of the tournament. This time, it was Takefusa Kubo (25, Real Sociedad), a key figure in the team's attack.

Kubo started in the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup North, Central America and Caribbean Group F against the Netherlands at the Dallas Stadium in the United States on the 15th (Korean time) but was substituted in the 30th minute of the second half. After colliding with an opponent on the left flank, he left the field to have his condition checked, then signaled to the bench for his own substitution and ultimately exited the stadium. Japanese media Nikkan Sports reported it as an "unexpected substitution out."

According to images of Kubo captured after the match, his left knee was heavily iced. Hajime Moriyasu, head coach of the Japan national team, stated at the post-match press conference regarding Kubo's condition: "I have not received a precise report yet. I hope it is a minor injury since he is walking on his own," while adding, "It is impossible to confirm at this point whether he will be able to play in the next match."

Kubo is a key resource for the Japan national team's second-line wingers. Although he recorded only two goals and four assists for Real Sociedad this season, showing a brief dip, he had previously recorded double-digit attacking points for three consecutive seasons, establishing himself as a top-tier winger in Spain's La Liga. On this day as well, he directly threatened the opponent's goal with a bold long-range shot from the front of the arc in the 22nd minute of the second half.

The fact that he can walk alone suggests the injury is likely not serious. However, the fact that he is not at 100% fitness is inevitably a concern for Coach Moriyasu and the Japan national team. Already, key players such as Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Takumi Minamino (AS Monaco), and Wataru Endo (Liverpool) had been sidelined one after another due to injuries ahead of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Japan conceded an early goal to Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) in the 5th minute of the second half, but equalized through a goal by Keito Nakamura (Reims). However, they lost the lead again after conceding an additional goal to Crysencio Summer (West Ham United). Yet, in the 43rd minute of the second half, when the odds were heavily against them, a dramatic equalizer by Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) from a corner kick situation leveled the score at 2-2 against the Netherlands. The FIFA ranking is 18th for Japan and 8th for the Netherlands.

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*This content was translated by AI.