Japan's national football team faces a setback as winger Kaoru Mitoma has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup due to a hamstring injury sustained during Brighton's 3-0 victory over Wolves in the Premier League. Coach Hajime Moriyasu confirmed that the medical team assessed it would be challenging for Mitoma to regain fitness in time for the tournament. This injury is particularly impactful as Mitoma was instrumental in Japan's previous World Cup campaign, helping secure victories over Germany and Spain in 2022. Japan has also lost Takumi Minamino, who is sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The team has been drawn into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, with their first match scheduled against the Dutch on June 14 in Arlington, Texas. Notably, Takehiro Tomiyasu has been included in the squad despite a long absence due to injuries. Other key players such as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo are also part of the squad, which aims to advance beyond the last 16 for the first time in history.