A blow to Japan: Kaoru Mitoma will miss the 2026 World Cup due to an injury
The Japanese national team has officially confirmed that Breton’s winger, Kaoru Mitoma, will not be able to participate in the 2026 World Cup. The reason for his absence is a injury to the back of his thigh. It will take longer for him to recover than the time required before the tournament begins.

This is a serious blow for the Japanese national team. Mitoma is one of the key players in the team’s attacking formation. His speed, skills, and experience in English Premier League made him an indispensable member of the team’s tactics. Without him, the coaching staff will have to quickly adjust their strategies and find alternatives for the team to play without him.

Breton also loses a valuable player. The club has already started working with the medical team to minimize the risk of a recurrence of the injury and to get the player back on the field in good condition. Despite optimistic predictions for the start of the season, the medical team’s predictions proved correct. Japan will miss out on one of its top stars at the 2026 World Cup. But the tournament isn’t over yet, and the Japanese team will surely find a way to cope with this setback.