Against Netherlands, Takefusa Kubo (in blue) set up Keito Nakamura for Japan’s first equaliser in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

Japan could have suffered another major injury blow as its midfielder Takefusa Kubo was seen leaving the stadium in a wheelchair after their group-stage match against the Netherlands on Sunday.

Kubo took a knock on his knee in the second half and was subsequently replaced by Koki Ogawa, who set up the second equaliser for the Samurai Blue.

“I don’t know. I think I’m okay, but let’s see how it goes. It felt like I was being attacked from several different directions,” Kubo told DAZN after the match.

The 25-year-old, dubbed ‘Japanese Messi’ by his fans, won the Copa del Rey with Real Sociedad last season, and has been central to his country’s midfield.

Against Netherlands, he set up Keito Nakamura for Japan’s first equaliser. Kubo’s injury would add more woes for coach Hajime Moriyasu, who has been left with a depleted World Cup squad without first-team regulars like Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, and Takumi Minamino.

Japan, which reached the round of 16 in the last two editions of the World Cup, is drawn with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in its group and opened its campaign with a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against the Dutch.

It faces Tunisia in its next group-stage match in Guadalajara, Mexico, six days later.

Published on Jun 15, 2026