Sure ? Cause here Kubo said himself "it's not serious" https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/sports/2026/06/16/2026061523335192147#_enliple
I don't think it's confirmed. We don't know for sure because Moriyasu is keeping it under wraps. The whole thing came from this tweet, and that was picked up by some Korean and Japanese media. Hopefully they are wrong. Takefusa Kubo - Japan 🇯🇵 wingerLeft knee injury Looking at the image provided by @physioscout, Kubo's knee buckles inward after colliding with Denzel DumfriesThis is indicative of a possible MCL injury which could hold Takefusa out for at least 3 weeks if confirmed. https://t.co/WNtPzCJDB4 pic.twitter.com/aiQCpwtbaT— TheInjuryExpertz (@InjuryExpertz) June 15, 2026
Kubo out means J.Ito in, not exactly a bad thing. 3 weeks means he will come back for Round32 or Round16?
Really? I don't think Renard will care his team also needs the win and will most likely bunker most of the time. I'd prefer Kubo's close control over Ito's explosiveness in that case.
I think he means more that Kubos creativity is more useful than Itos playstyle for counter attacks (explosiveness) against a likely bunker Tunisia. And maybe that's a point, yeah. I think Ito suited any enemy and any gameplan. For me Junya Ito is the best Japanese player we have till now, even better then Honda cause Ito always delivers for dont know 8 Years or so ? He is a beast.
Yeah I agree Kubo is more useful at opening up stubborn defences, Ito is devastating when there's open space, although he was very good against Holland when they were pushed back. Really hope we get an injury update soon, man I really wish we had Japan at full strength this year
Then bye Kubo. Moriyasu should make plan B and eventually C for Tunisia and Sweden without counting on Kubo. FFS Worldcup arrived and Mitoma + Kubo give up. 4 years before the next WC they will be 33yo and 29yo not in their prime. Poor them.
The team has proven several times and especially in recent months that they can perform very well (against much strongers teams than Tunisia or Sweden) without Kubo, it would be a big loss but nothing they can't overcome.
I just think this is total ass... Guy says he is fine now likely wont be fit again in this world cup...
They have to try and keep Kubo on and see how far Japan can get in the World cup. Due to the rules set by FIFA, since our first game has now happened we cannot replace injured outfield players.
48 teams means more time between group matches. So let's wait and see. Moriyasu and JFA not saying much isn't really a good sign somehow, but rest him vs Tunisia and then see how he is in a bit over a week vs Sweden, if not then for the first knock-out game. If Japan reaches that of course. In theory Japan should be strong enough to beat Tunisia and Sweden without Kubo. Vs Tunisia of course it's basically the same situation as 4 years ago vs Costa Rica. Win and you're almost sure to be through. Let's see if Moriyasu learned something in the last 4 years. Against the Netherlands his ultra-passive approach made sense, Perfect. It doesn't against "minnows" at the WC. It works against "minnows" in qualifying, they run out of steam during the second half, and the quality just isn't there, but as we saw 4 years ago it's different at the WC. It doesn't even matter much who plays, it's the game plan. No risk first half, hoping to automatically overwhelm the opponent in the second is not a good one vs Tunisia.
His words were taken out of context. he said "I think it's okay", and that he won't know until he gets examined. It was also right after the match. The 3 week minimum is still based on the "TheInjuryExpertz" tweet. Right now all JFA said is he likely won't play the next match. That being said, they did confirm the injury via MRI, they just won't say what the injury is..
Even without Kubo and all these injured guys..Minamino, Mitoma, Machida, Endo..the crazy thing is we still have a great squad. With Doan, J. Ito and Nakamura as our wingers its still good. The depth has truly developed. It's not that we are hopeless + we have many players to maybe changed our system a little.
"I've spoken to him. He had it checked, he's not training here today but I think he's doing what he can ahead of the game against Tunisia," Japan captain Ko Itakura said Maybe it's not too bad
I think it's not that easy for say exactly when he is fit, the don't send him home by now so let's wait and see. Still a good Squad.