Wataru Endo leaves Japan World Cup squad and ends international career
Japan captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the World Cup with a foot injury and said he is retiring from national-team football.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the World Cup because of a foot injury and announced the end of his international career, AFP reported. The decision removes one of Japan’s senior players from the squad three days before its opening match against the Netherlands.
AFP reported that the 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder could not recover in time for the tournament. Japan replaced him in the squad on Thursday with Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino.
Endo said on X that he was frustrated he could not play, but urged supporters to get behind Japan in Group F. Japan are scheduled to face the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden in the group stage, according to AFP.
"There will definitely come a time in the future when Japan win the World Cup, so let’s believe in that and support the team," Endo wrote on X. He added: "Let’s bring the strength of Japan together so that that moment can happen at this tournament in North America."
Endo also used the post to confirm his international retirement. "I have decided to retire from the national team. From now on, I will be supporting Japan as just another fan," he wrote.
AFP reported that Endo sustained a season-ending foot injury while playing for Liverpool against Sunderland in February. He returned for Japan in a 1-0 friendly win over Iceland in Tokyo on May 31, but came off at halftime.
The midfielder continued to feel discomfort at Japan’s pre-World Cup camp in Mexico, where AFP reported he did not take part in any full training sessions. He trained after Japan moved to its World Cup base in Nashville on Monday, but could not reach the required fitness level before the tournament.
"I’ve done everything in my power since I sustained the injury, so I have no regrets," Endo said. "Of course, I’m frustrated that I can’t play at this World Cup."
Endo said he took pride in leading the side since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He said he had helped the team become one where it felt natural to state that the target was winning the World Cup.
According to AFP, Endo made his Japan debut in 2015 and finishes his international career with 73 appearances and four goals. He was part of Japan’s squads at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, including the team that beat Germany and Spain in Qatar.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.