Liverpool midfielder misses tournament through injury and ends an 11-year international career with Japan.
Image: Reuters
Japan captain Wataru Endo has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a foot injury and has announced his retirement from international football.
The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder failed to recover in time for the tournament and will be replaced in Japan’s squad by Shuto Machino of Borussia Monchengladbach.
Endo expressed disappointment at missing the World Cup but urged fans to continue supporting Japan. He said he believes the national team can one day win the World Cup and pledged to support the squad as a fan.
The midfielder suffered the injury while playing for Liverpool in February. Although he returned for a friendly against Iceland in May, he continued to experience discomfort and was unable to regain full fitness.
Endo made his Japan debut in 2015 and earned 73 international caps, scoring four goals. He represented Japan at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and played a key role in famous victories over Germany and Spain in Qatar.
Defender Ko Itakura has been named Japan’s new captain for the tournament. He praised Endo’s leadership and vowed to lead the team with responsibility and determination.
Japan have also been affected by other injury setbacks. Kaoru Mitoma was ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Takumi Minamino missed the tournament after suffering an ACL injury.
Japan begin their Group F campaign against Netherlands before facing Tunisia and Sweden.
