Head coach Hajime Moriyasu has named his 26-strong squad that will head to next month’s FIFA World Cup 2026™, with the injured Kaoru Mitoma the headline omission. The Brighton forward, widely regarded as Japan’s most dangerous attacking weapon, has been ruled out after failing to recover from a long-term injury, dealing a significant blow to the Samurai Blue’s hopes of making history in North America.
Goalkeepers
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Zion Suzuki | Parma |
| Keisuke Osako | Sanfrecce Hiroshima |
| Tomoki Hayakawa | Kashiwa Reysol |
Defenders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Yukinari Sugawara | AZ Alkmaar |
| Shogo Taniguchi | Al-Rayyan |
| Ko Itakura | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| Tsuyoshi Watanabe | Gent |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | Arsenal |
| Yuto Nagatomo | FC Tokyo |
| Ayumu Seko | Grasshopper |
| Hiroki Ito | VfB Stuttgart |
| Junnosuke Suzuki | Albirex Niigata |
Midfielders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Kaishu Sano | Mainz |
| Daichi Kamada | Crystal Palace |
| Wataru Endo | Liverpool |
| Takefusa Kubo | Real Sociedad |
| Junya Ito | Reims |
| Ao Tanaka | Leeds United |
| Ritsu Doan | Freiburg |
| Keito Nakamura | Reims |
Forwards
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Daizen Maeda | Celtic |
| Keisuke Goto | Júbilo Iwata |
| Ayase Ueda | Feyenoord |
| Koki Ogawa | NEC Nijmegen |
| Yuito Suzuki | Brøndby |
| Kento Shiogai | Zweigen Kanazawa |
The Injury Gambles
Moriyasu has opted to roll the dice on several players either currently injured or those having just returned, with Wataru Endo, Ko Itakura, and Takehiro Tomiyasu all included despite fitness concerns. The trio are considered indispensable to Japan’s spine, and Moriyasu is banking on their recovery timelines aligning with the start of the tournament.
Moriyasu’s decision reflects both the depth of his trust in these veterans and the relative lack of like-for-like replacements in the Japanese pool.
The Headline Omissions
There was, though, no place for arguably the team’s most influential player – the injured Brighton forward Kaoru Mitoma – nor for Takumi Minamino (Monaco). Mitoma’s absence is particularly crushing. His explosive dribbling, close control, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one have been central to Japan’s attacking identity since the 2022 World Cup. Without him, Japan lose their primary outlet in transition.
Group F: The Road Ahead
Drawn in Group F, Japan begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Dallas, before a trip to Mexico to face Tunisia, and then a return to Dallas for the section closer against Sweden.
| Match | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | Dallas, USA |
| 2 | Tunisia | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 3 | Sweden | Dallas, USA |
Group Outlook:
- Netherlands – Group favorites; possess world-class talent in van Dijk, de Jong, and Gakpo.
- Sweden – Physically imposing; dangerous from crosses and dead balls.
- Tunisia – Disciplined African side; will look to frustrate and counter.
- Japan – Ambitious and confident; needs results against Tunisia and Sweden to advance.
Moriyasu’s objective will be to finish in the top two. A Round of 16 berth is the minimum expectation given Japan’s recent form and world ranking. (Source: fifa.com)
Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Shuichi Gonda |
| RB | Yukinari Sugawara |
| CB | Takehiro Tomiyasu (if fit) / Ko Itakura |
| CB | Shogo Taniguchi |
| LB | Yuto Nagatomo / Yuta Nakayama |
| DM | Wataru Endo |
| DM | Hidemasa Morita |
| RW | Ritsu Doan |
| AM | Takefusa Kubo |
| LW | Daizen Maeda |
| ST | Ayase Ueda |
The Rising Stars: Japan’s Next Generation
| Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Takefusa Kubo | 24 | Real Sociedad (Spain) |
| Yukinari Sugawara | 25 | AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) |
| Ayase Ueda | 27 | Feyenoord (Netherlands) |
| Keito Nakamura | 25 | Reims (France) |
| Koki Machida | 27 | Union SG (Belgium) |
Japan’s World Cup Journey
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1998 | First World Cup appearance |
| 2002 | Round of 16 (co-hosts) |
| 2010 | Round of 16 (beat Denmark 3-1) |
| 2018 | Round of 16 (lost to Belgium in dramatic 3-2 comeback) |
| 2022 | Round of 16 (beat Germany and Spain; lost to Croatia on penalties) |
| 2026 | Aiming for quarter-finals or beyond |
Strengths and Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Tactical discipline and organization | Lack of elite goalscorer |
| Excellent team spirit and unity | Injury concerns over key players |
| Proven ability to beat top nations | Mitoma’s absence removes X-factor |
| Strong set-piece defending | Depth at centre-back is thin |
| Young, energetic midfield | Susceptible to physical dominance |
Moriyasu’s Legacy
Hajime Moriyasu took over as Japan head coach in 2018 following the resignation of Akira Nishino. Since then, he has:
- Led Japan to the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022 (beating Germany and Spain).
- Overseen the development of a golden generation including Mitoma, Kubo, and Tomiyasu.
- Built a team capable of beating any opponent on its day.
A deep run in 2026 would cement his status as Japan’s greatest-ever manager. Failure to escape Group F, however, would raise questions about his reliance on injured players and his conservative tactical approach.
2026年ワールドカップ日本代表メンバー
Japan enter the 2026 World Cup with genuine hope but significant injury concerns. The absence of Kaoru Mitoma is a hammer blow to their attacking potency, but the returns of Endo, Itakura, and Tomiyasu – if fully fit – provide a defensive platform capable of stifling the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia.
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