Kirin Cup · Midfielder · #8 · Japan · 30 yrs
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Iran were treated badly while two countries were debutants, but Saudi Arabia and South Korea should have done betterFor a while, it looked as if Asia’s biggest World Cup result was on and Japan were going to beat Brazil. A team full of energy, skill and verve looked superior to the South Americans and were sending out a statement to the rest of the world and also back home that a new dawn was indeed here. The second half wasn’t quite so good. The energy levels could not be sustained, the Samurai Blue dropped too deep and eventually they were undone in the 96th minute to lose 2-1 in this last-32 clash. Had four of the team’s best players – Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, Takumi Minamino and Takefusa Kubo – been available then it could have ended differently. In the end, Brazil’s strength in depth was a little stronger.More than usual, however, there was support from elsewhere in Asia, with fans desperate for some continental pride. “We are representing Asia. I know that other Asian teams are not as successful,” the Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said before kick-off. “I would like us to be able to encourage other Asian teams as well, and we would like to be their hope.” Continue reading...
Why is Takefusa Kubo not starting for Japan vs Brazil today? Get the official injury update on the Real Sociedad star at the 2026 World Cup knockout stage. The highly anticipated Round of 32 clash between Japan and Brazil at Houston Stadium features a massive tactical missing piece for the Samurai Blue. Takefusa Kubo, the creative engine and Real Sociedad playmaker, has been left out of Hajime Moriyasu’s starting lineup for this do-or-die knockout match. The definitive reason behind his omission is a lingering left-knee injury. The 25-year-old midfielder originally sustained the injury during Japan’s intensely physical tournament-opening draw against the Netherlands, forcing him to miss the subsequent group-stage matches against Tunisia and Scotland. Kubo’s absence compounds an already devastating medical crisis for Japan. The Samurai Blue arrived in North America completely stripped of their core leadership group, with key stars Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, and veteran captain Wataru Endo all ruled out of the tournament due to severe pre-camp injuries. Projected Recovery Time: When Will Kubo Return? Because this knee injury involves a bone bruise and localized swelling rather than structural ligament damage, Kubo’s 2026 World Cup campaign is not officially over. Neither the player nor the Japan Football Association (JFA) have locked in a rigid medical timetable, opting instead to monitor his progress day by day. If the Samurai Blue can orchestrate an upset against Brazil without him, the medical staff is circling Friday, July 3, or Saturday, July 4 as a realistic target window for his return. This timeline would make him available for a potential Round of 16 appearance, giving his knee the critical rest required to clear the remaining inflammation and handle full-contact training. Coach Hajime Moriyasu’s Verdict There was a late surge of optimism in the Japanese camp just 24 hours before kickoff. On Sunday, June 28, Kubo was cleared by the medical staff to return to light group training for the first time since the opening matchday. Heavily taped up, the winger even expressed confidence to local media, stating he felt “in a good state.” However, manager Hajime Moriyasu opted for maximum caution during his pre-match press conference, choosing protectiveness over rushing his star asset back into an intense environment against a physical side like Brazil: “I’m hoping for a speedy recovery and he’s doing everything he can to pick up his conditioning, [but] he will not play in the Brazil game.” Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu (Getty Images). While Kubo has progressed enough to potentially earn a highly restricted, emergency seat on the substitutes’ bench, he lacks the competitive match fitness and tactical sharpness required to handle the tracking and defensive work rate demanded by the starting eleven. Tactical Adjustments: Who Fills the Void? Kubo’s absence forces a structural adjustment in Moriyasu’s transition blueprint. To compensate for the loss of Kubo’s elite half-space progression, the Samurai Blue will lean heavily on the technical versatility of Ritsu Doan. The tactical priority shifts toward maintaining a hyper-compact midfield block designed to disrupt Brazil’s passing channels before launching rapid counters through the wings.
Hervé Renard’s Eagles of Carthage have been sent packing from the World Cup thanks to a masterclass from the Samurai BlueChanges for Japan too with Tomiyasu and Itakura stiffening the back three, and Ito and Tanaka coming into the front three. Kubo misses out through injury and the lively playmaker is a big loss to a side already missing Minamino and Mitoma.Expect the same 3-4-3 structure that has served Moriyasu well in recent months as he has built Japan from a side capable of dominating Asia to one equipped to handle the rest of the world. Continue reading...
A huge player missing the next match of the 2026 World Cup is Takefusa Kubo, who isn't playing against Tunisia. Just one match into the 2026 World Cup, Japan are already making an injury change in the lineup as Takefusa Kubo isn’t playing against Tunisia. The reason behind Kubo not playing in this match is a knee injury he sustained in Japan’s draw against the Netherlands. It was in an action that left him down in the 75th minute of action, being unable to continue as he was replaced last Sunday. Kubo’s injury left Japan very worried as the issues have been piling up lately, with the team missing some huge names for them like Takumi Minamino or Kaoru Mitoma before the competition. This was also the case with team captain Wataru Endo, who had to be replaced from the final list. Kubo’s future While there were some concerns around Kubo’s future in the competition, Japan seem confident there are going to welcome the talented player back soon. Coming back against Sweden in the third match isn’t out of the question yet. Kubo got injured against the Netherlands last Sunday (Francois Nel/Getty Images) The fixture does not help Japan very much as they are one of the teams that had to travel between countries during the groups round. After presenting themselves in Dallas, Japan now had to travel to Mexico for the Tunisia match before returning to their first city. This made it easier to see that Kubo is not going to even be on the bench because he didn’t even travel with the team. Instead, the left-footed player stayed in the team’s facilities in Nashville recovering properly to gain his best form. Hajime Moriyasu’s view on the Tunisia match This was a hit for the team as they rely on Kubo’s creativity to produce goal chances. For manager Hajime Moriyasu, this Tunisia represents a threat to them even after they lost 5-1 against Sweden. That made their Federation fire Sabri Lamouchi to hire Herve Renard, which could be a factor for Japan. Moriyasu said: “Tunisia had a change of manager and will come out fighting with extremely high motivation, desperate to redeem the defeat from the first game in order to progress from the group stage. We must not be defensive against such a mentality and must be prepared to make the effort to win the match.”
Takumi Minamino isn't representing Japan at the 2026 World Cup. A team that could create problems for other sides at the 2026 World Cup is Japan, but they are missing a major player in Takumi Minamino. The reason Minamino is not competing for Japan is that he did not recover in time from a severe injury. It was impossible for the attacking midfielder to be ready in full form after tearing his ACL in December while playing for Monaco. This injury typically takes six to eight months to recover from. Even if the timeline may have been in his favor, not all cases are the same with this injury. It also requires time to build up slowly to avoid setbacks, so Minamino was not able to be called up. Minamino’s role with the team While the player could be doing his rehab in his preferred city, Minamino accepted the invitation from the staff to stay close to them. His rehab continues on a schedule parallel to the light movements he makes with the team. Endo was also left out (Kenta Harada/Getty Images) His role as a mentor could be very important for many reasons, and it is even more needed in this edition because, before the first match, the team captain, Wataru Endo, was left off the list because of an injury. Minamino said about his role, according to Kyodo News: “Lots of people helped me get here and I’m hoping to give my maximum support to the team by offering my personal experience and coming up with my own approach.” Takehiro Tomiyasu on Minamino’s supporting role There are many players with respectable experience in Japan, and Takehiro Tomiyasu is one of them after playing for an elite club like Arsenal. The defender, who now plays for Ajax, praised Minamino for his ability to leave his ego aside as he described his role, according to Nikkan Sports. Tomiyasu said: “Minamino is definitely a plus for the team. He has only just arrived, but just having Takumi here makes everyone smile, and we are happy too, so I think he will do a good job.”
Japan arrive consolidated as one of the best national teams in Asia. Under head coach Hajime Moriyasu, they promise to make a great impact at the 2026 World Cup. However, Kaoru Mitoma will be absent from the tournament, being a major loss for the national team. Japan have managed to remain one of the most competitive national teams in Asia. Not only do they have a roster full of stars, but they also possess an imposing collective game under head coach Hajime Moriyasu. However, they will feel the difficult absence of Kaoru Mitoma, as he will not be at the 2026 World Cup, losing one of their most game-changing players in the world. Kaoru Mitoma suffered a severe hamstring tear on May 9, 2026, while playing for Brighton & Hove Albion. With an estimated recovery time of eight weeks, he would return to the pitch at the end of July, which ruled him out of the 2026 World Cup. Without his presence, Japan lose a difference-maker in dribbling, something they may need considerably in the tournament to make the difference. Throughout the 2025-26 season, Mitoma had numerous physical problems that limited him to playing only 27 matches, in which he scored 3 goals and provided just 1 assist. Despite this, he remained an undisputed choice for head coach Hajime Moriyasu, making his absence a very significant one. Nonetheless, he is expected to make a comeback after the 2026 World Cup, with Brighton & Hove Albion. Taking Mitoma’s spot, head coach Hajime Moriyasu may bet on Junya Ito, shinning at KRC Genk, and Daizen Maeda, shinning with Celtic, may take on a bigger role within Japan’s roster. Nonetheless, they need to step up their performances, as they have not been able to take a protagonist role within the national team. Having just three games to prove, they have a huge task ahead. Kaoru Mitoma of Japan celebrates victory. Mitoma leads Japan injury crisis ahead of the 2026 World Cup Japan arrive as one of the favorites in Group F of the 2026 World Cup. While the Netherlands and Sweden are strong teams, Hajime Moriyasu’s team has proven to be highly competitive with its offensive style of play. However, Kaoru Mitoma’s absence is not the only one, as they have suffered two other very significant losses, making their injury crisis for the tournament clear. Takumi Minamino suffered an ACL injury while playing for AS Monaco, ruling him out of the anticipated tournament. Alongside him, Wataru Endo was ruled out shortly before the start of the tournament due to persistent foot problems. With these numerous absences, head coach Hajime Moriyasu will have to notably readjust his style of play, making it more difficult to shine in the tournament.
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