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Monaco and Japan have been dealt a significant setback after Takumi Minamino was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
This injury places his participation in the 2026 World Cup in serious doubt.
The Ligue 1 club confirmed the extent of the damage on Monday after the Japanese international was hurt during Monaco’s 2-1 victory over Auxerre in the French Cup on Sunday.
Minamino was forced off on a stretcher, visibly distressed, as he left the pitch.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder, who previously played for Liverpool, is regarded as one of the key figures in Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan squad.
He has scored 26 goals in 73 appearances for the Samurai Blue, underlining his importance to the national side.
Japan have been drawn in Group F at the World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and a European play-off winner yet to be decided between Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, and Albania.
The expanded tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
