Stepping onto the FIFA World Cup stage and leading one's country is a dream every footballer carries. But for Japan's captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, this edition of the tournament brought the deepest possible pain. An injury not only ruled him out before FIFA World Cup 2026 had even begun, but also forced him to walk away from the game. Just days before the Samurai Blue were due to launch their campaign, Endo's international career came to this heartbreaking end. The 33-year-old has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his ten-year journey with Japan to a close.
The news has dealt a heavy blow to Japan's preparations for the tournament. It has arrived right before their opening Group F clash against the Netherlands on 15 June. In a statement shared on social media, Endo confirmed that he would no longer be part of the World Cup squad and was stepping away from international football entirely. Announcing his decision, Endo said he had done everything in his power to recover from the injury and had no regrets about the efforts he made to return for the tournament.
Wataru Endo has withdrawn from Japan's World Cup squad due to injury and has announced his retirement from international football.
In his statement, Endo wrote, “As has been announced, I am withdrawing from the World Cup squad. Since my injury I did everything I possibly could, so I have no regrets. Of course there is sorrow at not being able to take part in this World Cup, but more than that, I am proud of just how far we have all progressed together since the Qatar World Cup.”
The Liverpool midfielder showered praise on the current Japan side and expressed confidence that they could achieve something special in North America. “This current team is truly outstanding. I'm certain they will overcome any difficulty and show us sights we have never seen before. With this campaign, I am retiring from the national team. From now on I will support Japan as a fan. The day will surely come when the Japanese team lifts the World Cup,” he said.
