Wataru Endo retires from Japan duty after injury ends 2026 World Cup dream
Japan captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury, marking a heartbreaking end to his international career just days before the start of the Samurai Blue campaign. The 33-year-old also announced his immediate retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on a decade-long journey with Japan.
Japan’s preparations for the tournament were dealt a major blow ahead of their Group F opener against the Netherlands on June 15. In a statement shared on social media, Endo confirmed that he will no longer be part of the World Cup squad and will retire from international football altogether.
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 SOUTH KOREA VS CZECH REPUBLIC: LIVE | FULL COVERAGE
In announcing his decision, Endo wrote that he did everything he could to recover from the injury and has no regrets about the effort he put into returning to the tournament.
“As announced, I will be stepping down from the World Cup squad. I’ve done everything I could since my injury up until now, so I have no regrets at all. Of course, there’s frustration in not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I’m proud of how we’ve grown together since the World Cup in Qatar.”
The Liverpool midfielder also paid tribute to the current generation of Japanese players and expressed his belief that they can achieve something special in North America.
“The current team is really an amazing team. I believe they will overcome any adversity and show us sights that we have never seen before. I will leave the national team with this campaign. So from here I will support the Japanese national team as one of the fans. The moment when the Japanese national team wins the World Cup will definitely come one day.”
Liverpool later confirmed Endo’s announcement, confirming that the midfielder had withdrawn from Japan’s World Cup squad due to injury.
The setback comes after months of uncertainty over Enda’s fitness. The veteran midfielder battled a leg injury sustained on club duty with Liverpool earlier this year and underwent surgery in a bid to recover in time for the World Cup. Although he was included in Japan’s final 26-man squad, concerns resurfaced when he played just one half during a friendly against Iceland before experiencing further discomfort.
WHY DID WATARU ENDO WITHDRAW FROM THE WC?
Endo has been struggling with a leg injury since February after suffering it while playing for Liverpool.
The midfielder underwent surgery and spent several months trying to regain full fitness ahead of the World Cup. His inclusion in Japan’s final squad initially suggested that he had won a race against time, especially as other major stars such as Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino were unavailable.
However, there were concerns during Japan’s final preparations when Endo was substituted at half-time during a friendly against Iceland on 31 May. While initial medical assessments remained optimistic, Japan ultimately decided not to risk their captain’s fitness heading into the tournament.
The decision came just three days before Japan’s opening game against the Netherlands, ending Endo’s hopes of leading his country in what would likely be his last World Cup.
WHAT DOES ENDO’S RETIREMENT MEAN FOR JAPAN?
Endo leaves the international scene as one of the most influential Japanese players of the modern era.
Since making his senior debut in 2015, he has amassed 73 caps and scored four goals for the national team. After the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was entrusted with the captaincy and became one of the key leaders to guide Japan into the new cycle.
His retirement also means that Japan have effectively said goodbye to two captains in the space of a few days. Defender Maya Yoshida recently received an emotional exit after years of service, while Endo’s departure now marks the end of another important chapter in management.
Japan quickly replaced the Liverpool midfielder in their World Cup squad, calling up Borussia Monchengladbach striker Shuto Machina. While not a like-for-like replacement, Machino adds attacking depth to a team now tasked with coping without their captain.
Attention now turns to who will inherit the tape. Ajax defender Ko Itakura is one of the main candidates, while Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan have also captained the team in the past year.
Japan opened their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands before they face Tunisia and Sweden in Group F, hoping to push through despite the loss of one of their most experienced leaders.
Football World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | football news
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
12 Jun 2026 05:46 IST