June 11, 2026
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Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from Japan’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to recover from a lingering foot injury, while also announcing his retirement from international football.
The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder had been battling to regain fitness since suffering a serious foot injury during a Premier League match against Sunderland in February. The setback ruled him out for the remainder of Liverpool’s domestic campaign, forcing him to spend the closing months of the season in rehabilitation.
Despite concerns over his fitness, Endo was included in Japan’s preliminary World Cup squad and returned to Liverpool’s matchday squad as an unused substitute in the club’s 1-1 draw against Brentford on the final day of the season. However, after linking up with Japan’s camp in Nashville, Tennessee, medical assessments confirmed he was not fit enough to take part in the tournament.
