Wataru Endo ruled out of World Cup, announces retirement from international soccer
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 10:59 PM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
Japan captain Wataru Endo has been ruled out of the World Cup due to an injury, just three days before their opener against the Netherlands. The Liverpool midfielder announced his international retirement on June 11. Endo had not fully recovered from a foot injury that has sidelined him since February, affecting his participation during Japan's pre-World Cup training camp. He expressed frustration at missing the tournament but affirmed his pride in leading the team and his belief in their potential future success.
- •Endo is replaced by Shuto Machino in Japan's World Cup squad.
- •He has 73 caps for Japan, scoring four goals since his debut in 2015.
- •Endo was part of the squads for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
- •Japan opens its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands.
- 3:39 AMYahoo Sports — Premier League winner announces retirement after being ruled out of World Cup
- 1:08 AMYahoo Sports — Japan captain Wataru Endo is out of the World Cup and retires from international duty
- 10:59 PMYahoo Sports — Japan captain Endo out of World Cup, ends international career
"Japan captain Wataru Endo was ruled out of the World Cup with injury and announced his international retirement on Thursday, three days before his team's opener against the Netherlands."But more than that, I'm proud that I've been able to captain this team since the Qatar World Cup and help it grow into a group where it feels natural to say our target is to win the World Cup."
"The Japan Football Association said Thursday that captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the country’s World Cup squad due to a foot injury. The 33-year-old Endo posted his decision on his X account in Japanese three days before his team's Group F opener against the Netherlands. The Japan team has been training in Nashville, Tennessee.
"Wataru Endo has withdrawn from Japan’s World Cup squad and announced his international retirement after losing his fitness battle just days before the tournament. Japan open Group F against the Netherlands in Arlington on June 14, but they will do it without their captain and midfield anchor.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 3:39 AMPremier League winner announces retirement after being ruled out of World Cup
Wataru Endo has withdrawn from Japan’s World Cup squad and announced his international retirement after losing his fitness battle just days before the tournament. Japan open Group F against the Netherlands in Arlington on June 14, but they will do it without their captain and midfield anchor.
- Yahoo SportsJun 12, 2026, 1:08 AMJapan captain Wataru Endo is out of the World Cup and retires from international duty
The Japan Football Association said Thursday that captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the country’s World Cup squad due to a foot injury. The 33-year-old Endo posted his decision on his X account in Japanese three days before his team's Group F opener against the Netherlands. The Japan team has been training in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 10:59 PMJapan captain Endo out of World Cup, ends international career
Japan captain Wataru Endo was ruled out of the World Cup with injury and announced his international retirement on Thursday, three days before his team's opener against the Netherlands."But more than that, I'm proud that I've been able to captain this team since the Qatar World Cup and help it grow into a group where it feels natural to say our target is to win the World Cup."
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