Takumi Minamino Set to Join Japan national football team at 2026 World Cup in Mentor Role Despite Squad Omission

According to Japanese media reports, Takumi Minamino, who missed out on the World Cup squad due to injury, will still travel with the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a support role.

The Japan national football team recently announced their 26-man squad for the tournament, with star winger Kaoru Mitoma ruled out through injury. Minamino, who has made 71 senior international appearances and scored 26 goals — making him the most-used midfielder during coach Hajime Moriyasu’s tenure — was also unfortunately left out because of fitness issues.

However, Moriyasu revealed his plan during a live television appearance later that evening: “We are currently making arrangements for him (Takumi Minamino) to travel with the squad as a supporter and mentor figure.”

Among the regular national team players, forward Shuto Machino, who featured at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and midfielder Hidemasa Morita, who has not been selected since the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers in March last year, were also omitted from the squad.

In addition, midfielder Joel Chima Fujita, who had been consistently called up in recent years, failed to make the final list. Remarkably, none of the players from Japan’s 2024 Paris Olympic squad were included in the World Cup roster.