The midfielder and captain resigned before Japan’s game against the Netherlands after failing to recover from a leg injury.
Published June 12, 2026
Japan national team captain Wataru Endo was denied participation in the World Cup due to injury and announced his retirement from the national team three days before the opening match against the Netherlands.
The Liverpool midfielder failed to recover from a leg injury and withdrew from the tournament, and was replaced by Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Osamu Machino in the Japanese national team on Thursday.
Endo, 33, said on social media that he was “frustrated” at not being able to play, but said he was rooting for his team to do well in Group F, where they will face the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.
“There will definitely come a time in the future when Japan will win the World Cup, so let’s believe in that and support the team,” he wrote to X.
“Let’s unite the power of Japan to make that moment a reality at the North American Games.”
“I have decided to retire from the national team. From now on, I will continue to support Japan as a fan,” he said.
Endo suffered a leg injury near the end of the season in the match between Liverpool and Sunderland in February, but returned to the Japanese national team on May 31 in a 1-0 friendly win against Iceland in Tokyo.
He was sent off at halftime and continued to feel discomfort during the pre-World Cup camp in Mexico, where he did not participate in full practice.
He participated in training when Japan traveled to Nashville, the home of the World Cup, on Monday, but was unable to get up to speed in time for the tournament.
Endo said, “I have no regrets because I have been doing my best since getting injured.”
“Obviously I’m frustrated not being able to play in the World Cup.
“But more than that, I’m proud to have captained this team since the Qatar World Cup and to have contributed to the group’s growth into a group whose goal is naturally to win a World Cup.”
Endo made his debut with the Japanese national team in 2015, scored four goals for his country, and retired with 73 caps remaining.
He was part of Japan’s squad for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, contributing to impressive victories over Germany and Spain in Qatar.
