Mitoma's Name Was Not Called — Japan's 26, and the Fifth Time Nagatomo Earned His Way In

The Short Version

At 14:00 on May 15, 2026, the Japan Football Association announced the 26-man squad for the North America World Cup. The key points: (1) Kaoru Mitoma (28, Brighton) was left out due to a left hamstring tear — injured against Wolverhampton on May 9, with the recovery timeline judged not to allow him to be at 100% during the tournament; (2) Yuto Nagatomo (39, FC Tokyo) was selected for a fifth consecutive World Cup — the first time for an Asian player in history; (3) The GKs are Tomoki Hayakawa / Keisuke Osako / Zion Suzuki; DFs are Nagatomo / Shogo Taniguchi / Ko Itakura / Tsuyoshi Watanabe / Takehiro Tomiyasu / Hiroki Ito / Ayumu Seko / Yukinari Sugawara / Junnosuke Suzuki; MF/FW are Wataru Endo / Junya Ito / Daichi Kamada / Koki Ogawa / Daizen Maeda / Ritsu Doan / Ayase Ueda / Ao Tanaka / Keito Nakamura / Kaishu Sano / Takefusa Kubo / Yuito Suzuki, and others; (4) Moriyasu named “winning the tournament” as the ultimate goal; (5) Group F fixtures: June 14 vs Netherlands, June 20 vs Tunisia, June 25 vs Sweden.

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The Moment Mitoma’s Name Was Not There

The reading order was position then age. After the three GKs, field players are called by age. The first name read was Yuto Nagatomo, age 39. Next, Shogo Taniguchi, 34. Wataru Endo and Junya Ito, both 33. Daichi Kamada, Ko Itakura, and Tsuyoshi Watanabe, all 29 —.

When the line reached age 28, the air in the conference room briefly tightened.

Of the 28-year-olds, only Koki Ogawa and Daizen Maeda were called. Kaoru Mitoma’s name was, at that point, not there.

The Yahoo News Japan breaking report at 14:27 confirmed the exclusion. Mitoma had been injured in the Premier League’s 36th round Wolverhampton match on May 9 and, after subsequent imaging, was diagnosed with a hamstring tear. Multiple source reports indicated a recovery timeline of about two months — which means, realistically, the World Cup opener on June 11 is not within reach.

The day before the press conference, Moriyasu had said: “The impression I have heard is that it is not light.” His basis was: “Whether we can get the player to 100% during the tournament.” By that standard, Mitoma’s name had to disappear from the list.

Yuto Nagatomo, Fifth Time — An Asian First

Then Yuto Nagatomo, the oldest, was called. 39 years old. Five consecutive World Cup appearances for an Asian player — the first in history.

South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022, and now North America 2026. Nagatomo left Meiji University in 2008 to join Cesena, then experienced Serie A with Inter, then played for Galatasaray in Turkey, before returning to FC Tokyo in 2022. His playing time in J1 this season has been limited, but Moriyasu’s call-up is in expectation of his role as a “spiritual anchor.”

The May 14 Soccer King prediction article noted that “whether Nagatomo’s name will be called first as the oldest field player, or whether 34-year-old Taniguchi’s name will be first” was a point to watch. At the conference, Nagatomo’s name was read first.

When the name was called in the conference room, Nagatomo himself was not there. He was playing in an FC Tokyo match — as he always is, somewhere inside his own story.

The 26, by Position

This is the most “European club-affiliated” Japan squad in history. From GK Zion Suzuki (Parma, Serie A) to FW Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord, Eredivisie), of the 26 names, 22 play at clubs outside Japan.

The exact breakdown by position:

Worth noting is the last name on the list — 21-year-old Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg). The Soccer Digest prediction article of May 12 had listed him as a “surprise candidate.” He was actually called. His playing time at the club has been limited, but he recorded an assist in the March match against Scotland and showed his ability to change the flow when coming on as a substitute against Bayern in May. That Moriyasu picked him as a “shadow option” means he is gambling on Shiogai to take over the left-side role left by Mitoma’s departure.

“Winning the Tournament” — A Word Moriyasu Spoke for the First Time

In the Q&A, Moriyasu used the word “winning” — for the first time — as a clear target. The goal, previously expressed as “the round of 8” or “the new view,” was today replaced by a different word.

“The team’s slogan remains ‘the new view,’ surpassing the round of 16 which is the past best. And the ultimate goal — winning — is set.” This is Moriyasu’s statement transcribed by Nikkan Sports immediately after the press conference.

Japan, ranked 18th in the FIFA Rankings, declares winning as its goal. This is an expression no Japanese press conference held before the past seven World Cups has used.

There is data behind this. Since the 2022 Qatar tournament, Japan has beaten Germany twice, Brazil once, and England once — all teams ranked above them in the world rankings. The subjective conviction “we can compete with the strong” was backed by objective fact, perhaps in the moment of beating England in London in March.

Is the word “winning” hollow, or is it real? That will be revealed from the June 14 match against the Netherlands.

The Reality of Group F

Japan’s Group F is decided from the opening fixture forward. June 14 in the US, against the Netherlands. June 20 against Tunisia. June 25 against Sweden.

According to Nikkei’s flash report, finishing in the top two of the four-team group secures automatic advance to the 32-team round. Third-place teams can still advance if they finish in the top 8 of the 12 group-stage third-place finishers in cross-group comparison. The “rescue path” in the new format makes Group F’s challenge slightly less harsh than in past tournaments.

Still, Mitoma’s absence is large in tactical terms. The 1-0 victory over England in March was set up by Mitoma’s left-side breakthroughs. The “left shadow” position he carried now passes to Keito Nakamura (Reims) or to the still-recovering Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg). The choice is Moriyasu’s.

The Shadow of Injuries, In Full

Mitoma’s exclusion is not a single event. This squad selection involved several main players with injury concerns:

• Kaoru Mitoma (left hamstring tear, ~2-month recovery) → Excluded
• Takumi Minamino (left knee ACL tear) → Excluded
• Wataru Endo (post-left ankle surgery, monitoring) → Selected
• Takehiro Tomiyasu (long-term return process) → Selected
• Hiroki Machida (left knee ACL, mid-return) → Excluded
• Yuito Suzuki (right clavicle fracture, post-surgery) → Selected

Moriyasu had said on May 10: “The impression I have heard is that it is not light.” Today, that “impression” took shape as concrete selection results. He gave up on Mitoma and Minamino and Machida, and bet on Endo, Tomiyasu, and Yuito Suzuki.

The May 14 Soccer King rules analysis notes that after final squad submission, replacement with a preliminary list player is allowed only up to 24 hours before the group stage opener, and only for injury reasons. There is, by rule, not zero possibility that someone takes Mitoma’s spot in the final hours.

However, “we want to add him because he’s recovered” — replacing a fit player with one previously preliminary-listed — is not allowed. The medical likelihood that Mitoma can play before June 13 (24 hours before the Netherlands match) is quite low.

May 31, Kokuritsu — The Final Send-Off

The last warm-up match before North America is May 31 (Sun) at 19:25, Iceland at the Kokuritsu Stadium. DAZN provides free live broadcast.

JFA’s announcement of the warm-up match on May 15 confirms all 26 will be called up. Playing time, however, is up to Moriyasu’s tactical decisions. What is likely to be seen on the pitch is mostly the non-starters — with 14 days until the tournament, taking injury risks on the main players is not on the table.

Kokuritsu Stadium, on May 31, 2026, in front of 61,000 seats, will host a match that anticipates the story of the coming month. Without Mitoma. With Nagatomo’s fifth-tournament achievement woven through it.

And with the word “winning” — spoken for the first time by Moriyasu — still waiting for its meaning to be confirmed.

FAQ

Who are the 26 players in Japan’s World Cup 2026 squad? GKs: Hayakawa, Osako, Suzuki Zion. DFs: Nagatomo, Taniguchi, Itakura, Watanabe, Tomiyasu, Ito Hiroki, Seko, Sugawara, Suzuki Junnosuke. MF/FWs: Endo, Ito Junya, Kamada, Ogawa, Maeda, Doan, Ueda, Tanaka, Nakamura, Sano, Kubo, Suzuki Yuito, Shiogai, and others.

Why was Mitoma left out? He suffered a left hamstring tear against Wolverhampton on May 9, with reports of a ~2-month recovery. Moriyasu’s criterion of “getting the player to 100% during the tournament” could not be met.

What does Nagatomo’s fifth selection mean? It is the first time for an Asian player to be selected for five consecutive World Cups. At 39, he was chosen for his role as a spiritual anchor.

Who are Japan’s Group F opponents? Netherlands (June 14, FIFA rank 7), Tunisia (June 20, 44), Sweden (June 25, 38). All matches at US venues.

Were there any surprise selections? 21-year-old Kento Shiogai (Wolfsburg) was selected for what is close to his first call-up.

Can the squad be changed after submission? Only up to 24 hours before the group stage opener, and only for an injured player to be replaced by someone from the preliminary 35-55 player list — not for “recovery” reasons swapping fit players.

Was this Moriyasu’s first time saying “winning”? Yes. Naming “winning” as the ultimate goal in a pre-tournament press conference is the first time in 7 World Cups Moriyasu has done so.

Which injured players were selected? Endo, Tomiyasu, Suzuki Yuito were selected. Mitoma, Minamino, Machida were excluded.

What is the May 31 Iceland match? The final warm-up match (Kirin Challenge Cup 2026). Kickoff 19:25, Kokuritsu Stadium, DAZN free live broadcast.

Where can I watch Japan’s World Cup broadcasts? NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV broadcast Japan matches live. DAZN streams all 104 tournament matches, with all Japan matches free.

What is Japan’s goal in Group F? Finishing top 2 (automatic advance to round of 32) is the realistic target. Third place can also advance if Japan finishes in the top 8 of all third-place teams. Moriyasu declared “winning” as ultimate goal, while round of 8 has been the “new view” benchmark.