Overview
- Japan named a 26-player roster in Tokyo that excludes the Brighton winger because of his hamstring injury.
- Coach Hajime Moriyasu said doctors judged it would be hard for him to regain fitness in time for the World Cup.
- Mitoma, who was hurt in Brighton’s 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend, was ruled out Thursday of the club’s final two league matches by manager Fabian Hürzeler.
- Japan open Group F against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, then face Tunisia on June 20 in Monterrey before playing Sweden on June 25 back in Texas.
- The 28-year-old has nine goals in 31 caps and scored the winner over England in March, so his absence hits a team chasing its first quarterfinal berth.