Premier League winger Mitoma out of Japan squad for World Cup as 26-player squad named

TL;DR

Injured winger Kaoru Mitoma has been excluded from Japan's World Cup squad as coach Hajime Moriyasu announced the 26-player roster. Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during a Premier League match last weekend.

Key points

Kaoru Mitoma excluded from Japan's World Cup squad
Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during a Premier League match
Japan's squad includes Wataru Endo and Yuto Nagatomo
Japan is on a five-match winning streak before the World Cup
Japan's eighth consecutive World Cup appearance

Kaoru MitomaJapanWataru EndoYuto Nagatomo

TOKYO (AP) — Injured Premier League winger Kaoru Mitoma was left out of Japan’s World Cup squad on Friday when coach Hajime Moriyasu named his 26 players for the tournament starting next month in North America. Captain and Liverpool defensive midfielder Wataru Endo and veteran fullback Yuto Nagatomo were included. The 28-year-old Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during Brighton’s 3-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League last weekend. “The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” Moriyasu said. Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also missed out after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December. In 2022 in Qatar, Japan won its group after upset victories over Germany and Spain before losing in the round of 16 on penalties to eventual semifinalists . Japan is on a five-match winning streak heading into its final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31. The streak started last October with a in Tokyo when the home side came back from 2-0 down to beat the South Americans for the first time. It was also the last time Japan conceded a goal. Japan also on March 31 at Wembley after defeating at Glasgow three days earlier. Japan qualified for its first World Cup at in 1998 and co-hosted the event with in 2002. This year marks Japan's eighth World Cup tournament in a row. \\_ Japan squad: Goalkeepers: , , . Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, , , , , , , , . Midfielders/forwards: Wataru Endo, , , , , , , , , , , , Kento Shiogai, . \\_ AP World Cup coverage:

Q&A

Why was Kaoru Mitoma left out of Japan's World Cup squad?

Kaoru Mitoma was left out due to a hamstring injury that makes it difficult for him to regain fitness in time for the tournament.

Who are the key players included in Japan's World Cup squad?

Key players in Japan's World Cup squad include captain Wataru Endo and veteran fullback Yuto Nagatomo.

What is Japan's recent performance leading up to the World Cup?

Japan is on a five-match winning streak, with notable victories including a comeback win against Brazil and a 1-0 win over England.

Premier League winger Mitoma out of Japan squad for World Cup as 26-player squad named

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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