Brighton boss unsure if Mitoma will miss World Cup

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Japan forward Kaoru Mitoma will miss the final two Premier League games of the season with a hamstring injury but offered no clarity on the player's availability for the 2026 World Cup.

Mitoma was forced off during Brighton's 3-0 win against Wolves last Saturday and will not feature against Leeds United on Sunday or Manchester United in the season finale. Hurzeler told reporters ahead of the Leeds match that the club remains in contact with the Japan federation regarding the forward's recovery timeline.

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Illustration of injured Japan captain Wataru Endo leaving World Cup squad due to foot injury.
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Japan captain Wataru Endo leaves World Cup squad

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Japan's national team captain Wataru Endo must leave the squad ahead of the World Cup due to a left foot injury.

Spain's preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been hit by another injury to a key winger. Nico Williams sustained a moderate hamstring problem during Athletic Club's match against Valencia, joining Lamine Yamal on the sidelines.

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Tottenham Hotspur forward Mohammed Kudus has suffered a major setback in his recovery from a thigh injury, with surgery now likely following a new hamstring issue during training this week. The 25-year-old Ghana international faces a three-month recovery that could rule him out for the rest of the Premier League season and jeopardize his participation in the 2026 World Cup. Ghana, drawn in Group L with England, Croatia and Panama, will feel the blow ahead of their June matches.

Leandro Paredes suffered a tear in his right hamstring and was ruled out of Argentina's friendlies against Honduras and Iceland. The Boca midfielder was part of the 26-player squad selected by Lionel Scaloni for the 2026 World Cup.

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Liverpool and France striker Hugo Ekitike suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during a Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, ruling him out for up to nine months and this summer's World Cup. The 23-year-old collapsed in the first half of Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at Anfield. France manager Didier Deschamps confirmed the injury's severity in a statement.

Lamine Yamal has rejoined Spain's squad for training four days before their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener. The Barcelona forward missed recent matches due to a hamstring injury sustained in April.

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Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has dismissed Real Madrid transfer rumours, stating his future will be determined after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking after joining Argentina's squad for friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia, he expressed uncertainty about staying at Stamford Bridge next season. Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior affirmed Fernandez's commitment to the club.

 

 

 

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