Despite an ankle injury, Brighton & Hove Albion's winger, Kaoru Mitoma, has been selected to join Japan's Asian Cup squad, set to take place from January 12 to February 10. Brighton's manager, Roberto De Zerbi, expressed surprise at the selection, citing a predicted recovery time of four to six weeks for Mitoma. Japan's coach, Hajime Moriyasu, admits Mitoma may not be ready for the first game. The team, having previously lost the 2019 final, is determined to secure a win this year. They will face Indonesia, Iraq, and Vietnam in the first round.