Brighton fear Kaoru Mitoma could miss World Cup with hamstring injury
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler admits he is unsure whether winger Kaoru Mitoma will recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature for Japan at the 2026 World Cup.
The dynamic forward sustained the problem during a recent Premier League victory against Wolves.
Consequently, the Japanese international will miss his club’s final two domestic fixtures of the season.
Race against time for Japan selection
National team coach Hajime Moriyasu is scheduled to announce his finalised World Cup squad this Friday.
With the global tournament set to begin on 11 June, the timeline for a full recovery remains incredibly tight.
Hurzeler addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s upcoming trip to Elland Road, where the Seagulls face Leeds United.
“Regarding the World Cup, I’m not sure yet,” the Brighton boss stated.
Patience required for hamstring recovery
Medical staff on the south coast are now working closely with international counterparts to monitor the situation.
“We’ll be in touch with the Japan federation,” Hurzeler added.
“We really have to be patient with this injury, we cannot give a clear schedule.”
The former Kawasaki Frontale star has been an integral part of Brighton’s attacking setup this campaign.
“He will miss our two games,” Hurzeler concluded.
“That is sad for Kaoru. He was in good form and had a big impact on our performances.”