World Cup 2026 Squads: Mitoma Out, Lukaku’s Fitness Risk & Dzeko’s Record Quest

The slow, steady drip of squad announcements is escalating into a torrent, as the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup draws nearer. With the tournament set to kick off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico on June 11, national team managers are making the definitive calls that will shape a month of football. From legendary veterans clinging to one last shot at glory to shocking omissions forced by injury or form, the provisional and final 26-man lists reveal the high-stakes gamble inherent in the world’s biggest sporting event. According to BBC Sport, the initial wave of confirmed squads paints a picture of a tournament where experience is treasured but only ruthless pragmatism will survive.

The Veterans’ Last Dance

Several squads are headlined by iconic figures who will be leveraging every ounce of their vast experience. Bosnia-Herzegovina, as reported by BBC Sport, will include Edin Dzeko, who is set to join the exclusive club of 40-year-old outfield players to feature at a World Cup. His inclusion is not merely ceremonial; his leadership and aerial threat remain central to Bosnia’s hopes of navigating a group stage that will be physically demanding. Similarly, South Korea’s talisman, Son Heung-min, is preparing for his fourth World Cup, a testament to his sustained excellence and vital role in the national team’s attacking identity. The decision to bring these elder statesmen reflects a belief that in a tournament of immense pressure, tested nerves are as valuable as fresh legs. The contrasting approach is visible in Tunisia's squad, where manager Sabri Lamouchi has reportedly made the bold choice to leave out experienced midfielder Ferjani Sassi, signaling a shift toward a new generation.

The Injury Crisis and Shock Omissions

The unforgiving nature of squad selection is most painfully evident in the players ruled out through injury, a storyline that has drastically altered the prospects of several nations. Japan’s aspirations have suffered a significant blow with the confirmed absence of Kaoru Mitoma, the Brighton winger whose dribbling and creativity are irreplaceable. BBC Sport’s report highlights that the injured Mitoma has been left out, a loss that will force Japan to reconfigure their attacking strategy and rely more heavily on collective movement rather than individual brilliance. The situation is starkly different but equally newsworthy for Belgium, where fitness concerns are tied to form rather than specific injury. In a headline that sent ripples through the tournament buildup, Belgium’s squad includes Romelu Lukaku, despite the striker being described as “out of shape.” Managerial faith in Lukaku’s proven goalscoring record at international level is being severely tested, and his condition will be one of the most scrutinized narratives of the group stage.

Attacking Reinforcements and Surprise Call-Ups

Where some squads are defined by absences, others are galvanized by the firepower they can deploy. Sweden’s squad announcement confirms a formidable strike force, naming both Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres in their ranks. This provides Sweden with a dual threat that blends Isak’s technical wizardry with Gyokeres’s explosive finishing, making them a dangerous dark horse capable of outscoring more fancied opponents. In a similar vein of offensive optimism, France will be led by the devastating pace of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. The composition of the French squad suggests an intent to blitz opponents on the counter, a strategy well-suited to the likely heat and humidity of the North American summer. Furthermore, the expanded tournament format has opened doors for unexpected selections. New Zealand’s squad features a remarkable story of contrasts, with BBC Sport noting the inclusion of a player from Braintree alongside the established Premier League talent of Chris Wood, underscoring the unique pathways this World Cup presents.

High-Profile Snubs and Tactical Shifts

The finality of a squad list leaves no room for sentiment, as demonstrated by two notable exclusions. The Ivory Coast’s decision to omit Wilfried Zaha from their squad, as confirmed by BBC Sport, represents a major tactical and philosophical choice. Zaha’s individual brilliance has often been juxtaposed with questions about his fit within a rigid team structure, and the Elephants’ management appears to have prioritized a different profile of winger, betting on tactical cohesion over mercurial star power. Meanwhile, Haiti’s squad provides a fascinating study in diaspora talent recruitment, featuring players like Wilson Isidor and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. These selections indicate a strategy of leveraging European-born or developed talent to raise the technical floor of the squad, a move that could make them a tricky opponent for teams expecting a straightforward match against a minnow.

AI Perspective: Tournament Implications

Synthesizing the current announcements, the 2026 World Cup is already securing its narrative of unpredictability driven by squad health and strategic philosophy. Japan’s loss of Mitoma is a structural wound that directly benefits fellow Group C contenders, likely forcing them into a more conservative, counter-attacking posture that could stifle their goal tally. Without their primary creator, Japan might need to rely on the set-piece delivery of Hidemasa Morita to generate chances, a significant downgrade that makes their path to the knockout rounds notably steeper. For Belgium, the gamble on an “out of shape” Lukaku is a calculated risk that could backfire spectacularly; if his lack of fitness stalls their attack, expect the team to pivot early to an alternative spearhead like Lois Openda, whose pace could be more effective in transition. The empowerment of Sweden’s Isak-Gyokeres axis positions them as the primary threat to any pre-tournament favorites in their bracket, combining for a goal threat benchmarked against the best in Europe. On the flip side, Ivory Coast’s snub of Zaha puts immense creative pressure on a player like Nicolas Pepe to finally deliver on his potential with consistent end product, a gamble that will define whether this squad is a resilient unit or a toothless force. As the remaining 38 nations finalize their 26-man rosters, these early patterns of injury, form, and selection bias are not just headlines; they are the foundational data points for forecasting a tournament where the difference between success and failure is being defined weeks before a ball is officially kicked.