Japan name World Cup squad: Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma out of tournament with hamstring injury

The 28-year-old has been limited to just 27 appearances across all competitions for the south-coast club this season due to injuries.

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The future for Brighton’s band of veterans as James Milner returns to Leeds for the first of two big games in the club’s challenge for Europe. #BHAFC
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Brighton’s golden oldies could carry them to Europe. But what happens next? https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7275225/2026/05/15/brighton-milner-gross-dunk-welbeck-veltman-march/?source=emp_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.ilA.ySEh.n5OtOdUfoWEc via @[email protected]
Brighton’s golden oldies could carry them to Europe. But what happens next?

Fabian Hurzeler boasts a young squad at Brighton, but he has leant heavily on a core group of elder statesmen as the team have revived

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Hurzeler unsure if Japan's Mitoma will make World Cup
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cy028z911r7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says he "is not sure yet" if Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma will be fit to play in the 2026 World Cup. #BHAFC
Kaoru Mitoma: Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler unsure if Japan winger will be fit for 2026 World Cup

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says he "is not sure yet" if Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma will be fit to play in the 2026 World Cup.

BBC Sport
Fabian Hurzeler aims to keep qualifying for Europe in Brighton’s own hands. #BHAFC
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7279083/2026/05/14/fabian-hurzeler-brighton-europe/
Fabian Hurzeler wants Brighton to ‘focus on the things we can control’ in hunt for Europe

Brighton are seventh in the table, two points behind sixth-placed Bournemouth and six points behind Aston Villa in fifth.

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Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Kaoru Mitoma's hamstring injury rules him out of Brighton's final two games.
"Regarding the World Cup, I'm not sure yet. We are in touch with the Japan Association." #BHAFC
Diego Gomez (knee) is in contention for Sunday's game at Leeds.
Bumped into John Byrne on the way to Fabian Hurzeler's press conference.
What a player (in case you don't know who he is). #BHAFC
The resilience to be promoted under Chris Hughton the following season launched their Premier League journey. #BHAFC
Adam Webster is poised to part company with Brighton after seven years of solid service and injuries which have hampered the career of the central defender. #BHAFC https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7275581/2026/05/13/adam-webster-brighton-contract-future/
Adam Webster set to leave Brighton after seven seasons

The 31-year-old has not appeared all season for Brighton after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in July.

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RE: https://sportsbots.xyz/users/AndyNaylorBHAFC/statuses/2053160919736238230

I cannot provide any concrete information at this stage, but reports from Japan suggesting that Mitoma is likely to miss the World Cup are both unsurprising and shattering for the winger, who turns 29 next week. #BHAFC

Yasin Ayari’s inclusion in Sweden’s squad for the World Cup has been confirmed. #BHAFC
The Brighton midfielder is among seven Premier League players in the group of 26 named by Graham Potter for this summer’s tournament.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7273169/2026/05/12/sweden-world-cup-squad-2026/
Sweden name World Cup squad: Dejan Kulusevski misses out, strong Premier League contingent

Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres have been named in Graham Potter's squad.

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