Japan defender Yuta Nakayama will miss the World Cup soccer finals in Qatar after being ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, his English club Huddersfield said Thursday.
Nakayama, who was named in Japan's 26-man squad Tuesday for the tournament beginning Nov. 20, damaged his Achilles tendon at the end of the first half in Wednesday's 2-0 loss at home to Sunderland in the second-tier Championship. The 25-year-old will undergo surgery.
"We are all devastated that Yuta will be unable to join up with Japan for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is an experience he had completely earned," Huddersfield coach Mark Fotheringham said in comments released on the club's official website.
Nakayama was playing his first season in England since departing Dutch side Zwolle.
A player on the final list for the World Cup may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before the start of his team's first match.
