Japan's Wataru Endo sets high World Cup expectations ahead of opener
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 9, 2026, 1:45 AM
Last updated Jun 9, 2026
Japan's captain Wataru Endo expressed the team's ambition for the World Cup during an open practice in Nashville on Monday. Endo stated Japan aims to accomplish unprecedented feats in its soccer history as they prepare for their first match against the Netherlands on Sunday in Arlington, Texas. Over 5,000 fans attended the session, which included players interacting with supporters. Japan looks to advance past the group stage after notable upsets in their previous World Cup appearance in Qatar. The squad is acclimating to Nashville's weather ahead of the tournament.
- •Wataru Endo emphasizes high expectations for Japan in the World Cup.
- •Japan will open against the Netherlands on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.
- •More than 5,000 fans attended the open practice in Nashville.
- •Japan aims to advance past the group stage for the third tournament in a row.
- •Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki speaks positively about Nashville as a host city.
- 1:45 AMYahoo Sports — Captain Wataru Endo says Japan has high World Cup expectations as fans watch Nashville practice
"Wataru Endo made clear Monday night that Japan has very high expectations for the World Cup. “We will do our best with pride and passion to achieve something that we’ve never seen before in Japan’s soccer history,” Japan's captain said. Nashville is home before Japan opens the World Cup on Sunday against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas, in Group F.
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