June 12, 2026
Japanese captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the World Cup due to injury Thursday and announced his retirement from international competition.
The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder has been dealing with an ankle injury that required surgery in February. He was hoping to be fit for the competition in North America, but experienced discomfort and played only the first half in a May 31 tune-up friendly against Iceland.
The news comes just three days before Japan open Group F play against Netherlands on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
Endo has scored four goals in 73 caps for Japan since his 2015 debut with the national team. He helped the team reach the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
