Japan lost captain Wataru Endo ahead of the 2026 World Cup after the Liverpool midfielder withdrew through injury and announced his retirement from international football, just three days before the Netherlands match in Arlington.
The 33-year-old struggled with a foot injury since February after suffering the problem during club duty with Liverpool. Surgeons operated on the issue earlier this year, but Japan still included him in Hajime Moriyasu’s final 26-man squad.
Questions over Endo’s condition intensified after he played only one half in Japan’s warm-up match against Iceland on 31 May. Moriyasu then insisted medical staff had cleared the midfielder.
“According to the medical reports, there is nothing to say he can’t play.
“So we just believe, pray and wait.”
Japan have now changed course before their opening Group F fixture against the Dutch. Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Shūto Machino replaces Endo in the squad, although the switch leaves Japan without their most experienced holding midfielder and on-pitch organiser.
The timing hurts Japan badly. Endo anchored the midfield through the last World Cup cycle and led a side that many inside Japanese football viewed as capable of reaching unprecedented levels on the global stage.
His withdrawal also strips Japan of leadership and defensive control before matches against Netherlands, Ghana and Chile.
“As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad,” Endo wrote on social media.
“Of course, there’s frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I’m proud of how we’ve grown together since the Qatar World Cup.”
“With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team.”
Japan already travelled to North America without injured attacking players Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino. Endo’s exit deepens the uncertainty around a squad that now enters the tournament without several of its most influential senior figures.
