The Japan national team has suffered a massive blow ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, as captain Wataru Endo has been officially ruled out of the tournament due to injury, prompting the midfielder to announce his immediate retirement from international football.
The Liverpool midfielder entered the tournament surrounded by major fitness concerns following a foot surgery in February, sustained during a match against Sunderland. The injury kept him sidelined for the remainder of the Reds’ season.
Despite the risks, Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu included Endo in the final World Cup squad. The veteran midfielder made a brief return, playing 45 minutes in a friendly against Iceland in late May, which has now proven to be his final match for the Blue Samurai.
Endo’s Farewell Statement:
In an emotional message, Endo shared his thoughts on missing the tournament and ending his international career:
“There’s frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I’m proud of how we’ve grown together since the Qatar World Cup. The current team is truly a wonderful team. I believe they will overcome any adversity and show us sights we’ve never seen before. With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team. From here on, I’ll be cheering for Japan as a fan.”
Japan has quickly moved to fill the void, with striker Shuto Machino called up to replace Wataru Endo in the official 2026 World Cup roster.
