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Wataru Endo out of World Cup due to ankle injury

11 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 8:10 AM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

Wataru Endo out of World Cup due to ankle injury
Summary

Wataru Endo has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup after sustaining a serious ankle injury during Liverpool's match against Sunderland in February. Initially expected to captain Japan in the tournament, Endo's condition has deteriorated, leading to his replacement by Shuto Machino in the squad. Endo's season with Liverpool concluded prematurely, and he is set to miss the summer competition. He aims to return for pre-season training in July as he enters the final year of his contract with Liverpool.

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Status Watch
  • •Endo injured during Liverpool's 1-0 win over Sunderland in February.
  • •Shuto Machino will replace him in Japan's squad for the World Cup.
  • •Endo expected to miss the summer tournament due to the injury.
  • •Aims to rejoin Liverpool for pre-season training in July.
  • •Previously projected to leave Liverpool but likely to stay for the final contract year.
Latest Updates
  • 8:10 AMYahoo Sports — Japan boss makes rueful admission over devastating Wataru Endo decision which ‘had to be made’
  • 10:56 PMYahoo Sports — Japan coach says he made difficult call to keep captain Wataru Endo out of World Cup
  • 10:06 PMYahoo Sports — Japan manager made 'final decision' to send Wataru Endo home from World Cup
  • 6:55 AMYahoo Sports — Liverpool star set to retire from international duty after latest injury blow
  • 6:25 AMYahoo Sports — Liverpool ace Wataru Endo pulls out from 2026 World Cup, announces retirement from international duty
  • 7:57 PMYahoo Sports — Endo announces Japan retirement after World Cup withdrawal
  • 7:53 PMESPN Soccer — Liverpool's Endo out of WC, retires from Japan
  • 7:52 PMYahoo Sports — Wataru Endo Announces International Retirement
What they're saying
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Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu made the final decision about team captain Wataru Endo not playing in the World Cup because of a left foot injury that would have likely kept the 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder from playing full matches. Moriyasu said Saturday, the eve of Japan's Group F opener against the Netherlands, that it was difficult having to tell Endo his decision earlier this week.

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Following a setback recovering from a broken foot suffered in February, Liverpool midfielder and Japan captain Wataru Endo was forced to withdraw from the national team on the day World Cup 2026 kicked off. Unfortunately, it’s a setback that doesn’t mean Endo will just miss this summer’s tournament. It means that he has played his […]

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Japan midfielder Wataru Endo has retired from international football after being ruled out of the World Cup because of a foot problem. The Liverpool star sustained the injury against Sunderland on February 11 in what was his final club appearance of the season.

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