Injury blows for Japan as Minamino faces ACL tear before World Cup 2026
22 December 2025
Japanese midfielder Takumi Minamino of Monaco has torn the ACL in his left knee, six months before World Cup 2026, the French league announced on Monday.
He sustained the injury Sunday during Coupe de France match between Monaco and Auxerre (2-1), leaving the pitch on a stretcher in the 36th minute.
Minamino, who has appeared 21 times for Monaco this season and scored four goals, is a part of Japan, with 26 goals in 73 internationals.
Japan’s national team will play in the summer finals in Group Six alongside Tunisia, the Netherlands, and the playoff winner (Poland, Sweden, Ukraine or Albania).
Punchline 1: If ACLs had refunds, Minamino would demand one.
Punchline 2: On the bright side, his timetable is now full of training room jokes.
