There are 36 days until Japan’s World Cup opener. Warren Little via Getty Images
May 9, 2026Updated 2:00 pm EDT
Kaoru Mitoma has suffered an injury worry for Brighton & Hove Albion in their bid to qualify for Europe and for Japan for the upcoming World Cup.
The left winger went down clutching his left hamstring in the 56th minute of Brighton’s 3-0 win against relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. He held his head in his hands before receiving treatment and limping off.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler told reporters after the match: “We have to wait for the scan and then we can clarify. It didn’t look great, but I’m positive. It’s definitely the hamstring.”
Brighton, back up a place to seventh in the table, finish the season at Leeds United on May 17 and at home to Manchester United on May 24.
Japan’s first group fixture at the World Cup against the Netherlands is just over five weeks away on June 14.
Mitoma, who turns 29 later this month, is a key player for club and country. His season has been hampered by injuries, including a recurring ankle issue, which ruled him out for nine league matches in a row from October to December.
Mitoma has contributed three goals and an assist in 27 appearances in total for Brighton this season, including a spectacular volley to equalise in a 2-2 draw at Tottenham in April.
He has scored 23 goals with 18 assists in 113 Premier League appearances overall for the club and he has also been prolific in goal involvements for Japan, with nine goals and eight assists across 31 outings. He scored the only goal in their friendly victory against England at Wembley in March.
Japan’s other World Cup group games are against Tunisia on June 21 and Sweden on June 26.
May 9, 2026
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