Liverpool midfielder and Japan captain Wataru Endo has officially withdrew from the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury and has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable career with the Japanese national team.
The 33 year old confirmed he is stepping away after a failed recovery from an injury hit him in February against Sunderland in the English premier league.
The Japanese fans had a flicker of hope when he was named among the players for the tournament, but after joining his team mates in Tennessee, it was outwardly obvious that he was not fit to compete at the 2026 World Cup.
The news of Endo’s retirement comes as a devastating blow for Japan just days before the opening World Cup match and marks the conclusion of one of the most influential career in recent Japanese history.
Following the news, Endo released a statement: “As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad. Since my injury, I’ve done everything I could possibly could up to this point, so I have no regret whatsoever. Of course there’s frustration at not being able to participate in the World Cup, but more than that, I’m proud of how we’ve grown together since the Qatar World Cup, me as captain, leading this team and turning our goal of winning the World Cup into something we can say as a matter of course.”
Although missing the World Cup is a heartbreaking setback, the veteran midfielder chose to focus on the bigger picture. He voiced his full belief in the Japanese squad and encourage the supporters across the country to rally behind the team in the World Cup campaign.
With the departure of Wataru Endo, the coaching staff have filled in Shuto Machino, the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder to replace him as captain and lead squad to the tournament. However, Endo absence leaves a gap in the squad, particularly in terms of leadership and tactics.
