Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has admitted there is still no certainty over whether Kaoru Mitoma will recover in time to feature for Japan at the 2026 World Cup. The winger picked up a hamstring problem during Brighton’s victory against Wolves and is now set to miss the club’s final two Premier League fixtures.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has admitted there is still no certainty over whether Kaoru Mitoma will recover in time to feature for Japan at the 2026 World Cup. The winger picked up a hamstring problem during Brighton’s victory against Wolves and is now set to miss the club’s final two Premier League fixtures.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s away match against Leeds United, Hurzeler explained that the situation remains unclear and that communication with the Japanese Football Federation will continue while Mitoma undergoes treatment.
The Brighton head coach also stressed that patience will be required because the injury does not yet have a definite recovery timeline. According to Hurzeler, the medical staff cannot currently provide a precise date for the player’s return.
Japan's manager, Hajime Moriyasu, is expected to announce his World Cup squad on Friday as preparations continue for the tournament, which begins on 11 June. Japan’s first Group F match will come against the Netherlands on 14 June, before further games versus Tunisia and Sweden.
Mitoma was forced off after 58 minutes in the Wolves game, ending what Hurzeler described as a strong period of form for the attacker. The Brighton boss said the absence is disappointing because the Japan international had recently made an important contribution to the team’s performances.
Brighton is also facing a difficult moment in their push for European qualification, with the south coast club sitting seventh in the Premier League table while entering the final stage of the campaign.
The Seagulls still have two league matches remaining as they continue their battle for a place in European competition next season. However, they will have to manage those fixtures without one of their key attacking players.
Hurzeler repeated that the priority is to handle Mitoma’s recovery carefully rather than rushing him back too quickly. For now, uncertainty remains over whether the winger will be available for Japan once the World Cup gets under way in June.
