World Cup 2026: Japan holds its breath for Takefusa Kubo

25.06.26 FT World Cup

Japan

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Sweden

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Japan will once again have to cope without Takefusa Kubo. Although the Real Sociedad player has returned to training after his knee injury, he is not yet ready to make his competitive return.

The 25-year-old winger will therefore miss the match against Sweden, scheduled for Friday. His participation in a potential round of 16 clash also remains highly uncertain. Kubo suffered the injury during Japan’s opening World Cup match against the Netherlands. Before leaving the pitch, he had delivered an impressive performance, providing an assist.

This is a major absence for Japan, who rely on him to make the difference in high-stakes matches. However, the Samurai Blue have already shown they can count on a strong collective unit, with several different scorers since the start of the tournament. The Japanese staff now hope to have him back for the remainder of the competition, should the team continue their run.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr

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