Wataru Endo won’t be playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Liverpool midfielder, one of Japan’s most experienced and influential players, has been officially ruled out due to a left ankle ligament tear that has kept him sidelined since February.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has called up forward Shuto Machino as Endo’s replacement, reshuffling his squad just days before the tournament begins on June 11 in the United States.
A months-long battle with a brutal injury
Endo suffered a complete left ankle ligament tear during a Premier League match against Sunderland back in February 2026. He underwent surgery and hasn’t featured for Liverpool since.
When Japan announced their World Cup squad in mid-May 2026, Endo’s name was on the list. The hope was that he could recover in time, and Endo himself expressed optimism about making it back.
