Mitoma out of Japan World Cup qualifiers

Japan suffered a blow on the eve of World Cup qualifiers with Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma ruled out with injury, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old has scored seven goals in 18 appearances for his country and emerged as one of the most exciting attackers in the Premier League.

But Coach Hajime Moriyasu must do without him when Japan begin the long road to the 2026 World Cup at home to Myanmar on Thursday, followed by Syria on Tuesday in Jeddah.

The Japan Football Association did not reveal the nature of the injury.