Injured Minamino to Support Japan's World Cup Campaign in Mentor Role
Japan forward Takumi Minamino, sidelined by an ACL injury sustained in December, has joined the national team's 2026 World Cup setup in a non-playing mentor capacity. The 31-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for AS Monaco, ruling him out of on-field participation at the tournament. His inclusion reflects a growing trend of teams leveraging experienced injured players for off-field influence during major tournaments.
Takumi Minamino, one of Japan's most experienced forwards with 73 caps and 26 international goals, will participate in the 2026 World Cup in a mentorship role after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for AS Monaco in December 2025. ACL injuries typically require six to nine months of recovery, making it impossible for the former Liverpool player to feature on the pitch. Minamino, who was a key contributor to Japan's qualification campaign, expressed gratitude for being included and pledged to offer his personal experience to support the squad. Japan has also brought in former captain Maya Yoshida in a similar support capacity. The approach mirrors Australia's 2022 Qatar World Cup strategy, where forward Martin Boyle served as an 'Official Vibes Manager.' Japan, heading to their eighth successive World Cup finals, have been drawn in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, opening their campaign against the Dutch on June 14 at Dallas Stadium in Texas.
What's missing
No details are provided about whether Minamino will travel with the squad throughout the entire tournament.
What different sources said
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
Japan's Minamino to support World Cup campaign in mentor role
- The Japan TimesCenter
Injured Takumi Minamino takes on role of mentor for Japan at World Cup
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