Over the past weekend, several Japan national team candidates played in European leagues, with an injury to Kaoru Mitoma sending shockwaves through the squad just weeks before the World Cup.
In the English Premier League, Brighton midfielder Kaoru Mitoma felt pain in his left hamstring area and was substituted in the 58th minute of a 3-0 win against Wolverhampton. The injury is considered a significant blow, as Japan is set to announce its squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (kicking off June 11) on May 15, just one month before the tournament.
Daichi Kamada played the full match for Crystal Palace in a 2-2 draw with Everton.
In Spain, Real Sociedad midfielder Takefusa Kubo started against Real Betis (2-2) and played until the 54th minute.
In the German Bundesliga, Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt) featured until the 82nd minute in a 2-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund. Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich) came off in the 84th minute of a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg. Soichiro Koga (Wolfsburg) appeared from the 74th minute. Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano played the full match in a 1-3 defeat to Union Berlin. Werder Bremen defender Yukinari Sugawara was sent off in the fifth minute against Hoffenheim (0-1). Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Shuto Machino was substituted in the 87th minute against Augsburg (1-3). St. Pauli’s players Ryo Fujita and Tomoya Ando both played the entire match against RB Leipzig (1-2).
In Serie A, Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki played the full 90 minutes in a 2-3 loss to Roma.
In the Dutch Eredivisie, Feyenoord forwards Ayase Ueda (played until the 86th minute) and defender Gō Watanabe (full match) started together in a 1-1 draw with AZ.
In Belgium’s Pro League, Genk’s Junya Ito recorded one goal and one assist in a 3-0 win over Westerlo, his fifth goal of the season.
In the Scottish Premiership, Celtic’s Daizen Maeda (full match, two goals, season tally 12) and Reo Hatate (second-half substitute) featured in a match against Rangers.
