Shockwaves rippled through the Japanese football community on June 12, 2026, as national team captain and midfield anchor Endo Wataru officially withdrew from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, announcing his immediate retirement from international duty. The news, confirmed by the Japan Football Association (JFA) at their Nashville, USA base camp, comes just days before Japan's crucial opening Group F match against the Netherlands—a devastating blow for a squad already grappling with key absences.
Endo’s journey to this heartbreaking juncture began months earlier. On February 11, 2026, while playing for Liverpool in an English league match against Sunderland, the 33-year-old suffered a severe left foot ligament injury that required surgery. The diagnosis—a ligament rupture—sidelined him for nearly three months, forcing him into an intense rehabilitation regimen. Yet, the captain’s determination to represent his country on football’s grandest stage never wavered. By late May, Endo had fought his way back into the national team’s final 26-man squad, raising hopes among fans and teammates alike that he would anchor Japan’s midfield in his third World Cup appearance.
His comeback, however, proved short-lived. On May 31, during a friendly against Iceland, Endo started the match but was forced off at halftime after experiencing renewed pain in his left ankle. Despite joining the team’s pre-tournament camps in Mexico and the United States, he could only participate in parts of training sessions, and his discomfort persisted. As the days ticked down to Japan’s opener, the writing was on the wall. On June 11, Endo was absent from the team’s practice, and the next day, JFA technical director Yamamoto Masakuni and coach Moriyasu Hajime made the difficult decision official: Endo would be dropped from the squad, his World Cup dream over.
“After the injury, I did everything I could, so I have no regrets,” Endo shared in a heartfelt message on his social media, announcing both his withdrawal and his retirement from the national team. “As captain since the Qatar World Cup, I’m proud that we built a team where speaking about winning the World Cup became natural. From now on, I’ll support Japan as a fan. I hope everyone gives their all without regrets!”
Endo’s departure is not just a tactical setback—it’s a heavy emotional toll for a squad that has looked to him for leadership since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Over his 11-year international career, Endo earned 73 caps and scored 4 goals, playing a pivotal role in the Samurai Blue’s midfield and featuring as a starter in all four matches at the 2022 tournament. His journey began with Shonan Bellmare in the J.League, followed by stints at Urawa Reds, Sint-Truiden in Belgium, Stuttgart in Germany, and finally Liverpool, whom he joined in August 2023. His club career, marked by steady progression and resilience, mirrored his contributions to the national team—always reliable, always spirited.
Japan’s coaching staff wasted no time in naming replacements. Moriyasu called up forward Machino Shuto of Borussia Mönchengladbach as Endo’s squad replacement, while defender Itakura Go of Ajax assumed the captain’s armband. “Losing such an outstanding captain who has led the team since the Qatar World Cup is a huge blow,” Itakura commented, expressing the squad’s collective disappointment and empathy for Endo’s situation.
Endo’s absence compounds an already challenging injury crisis for Japan. Star attacker Mitoma Kaoru (Brighton) was ruled out due to a hamstring injury, and Monaco’s Minamino Takumi also missed the squad with a cruciate ligament tear. These losses have forced Moriyasu to reshuffle his plans, relying on midfield and forward alternatives such as Kamada Daichi (Crystal Palace), Tanaka Ao (Leeds), and Sano Gaishu (Mainz). But no replacement can fully replicate Endo’s blend of defensive tenacity, tactical intelligence, and leadership on and off the pitch.
Japan’s World Cup campaign in Group F now faces even greater uncertainty. The Samurai Blue open against the Netherlands on June 15, followed by matches against Tunisia (June 21) and Sweden (June 26). The group is considered one of the tournament’s most competitive, and the loss of Endo’s experience and composure in midfield could prove decisive as the stakes rise.
Analysts have quickly recalibrated their expectations. According to ESPN’s DTAI supercomputer, Japan is still projected to reach the round of 32, and—optimistically—advance to the round of 16 after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Brazil. However, the forecast has Japan falling to Canada, a team that itself is riding a wave of momentum after knocking out South Korea. The model also predicts that the United States and Canada will benefit from home advantage to reach the quarterfinals, with Norway making a surprise run to the semifinals and Spain tipped for the ultimate prize.
Endo’s retirement marks the end of an era for Japanese football. Since making his international debut in 2015, he has embodied the spirit of the Samurai Blue—resilient, disciplined, and relentlessly optimistic. He participated in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and his leadership after Qatar helped Japan set ambitious targets, including the once-distant dream of World Cup glory. “I’m proud of how the team has grown since the Qatar World Cup, to the point where talking about winning it became natural,” Endo reflected. “The moment Japan wins the World Cup will surely come.”
For now, the Japanese squad must rally without their captain. The coaching staff, led by Moriyasu, faces a daunting task: to recalibrate tactics, inspire belief, and instill the same fighting spirit that Endo championed. The likes of Kamada, Tanaka, and Sano will be called upon to fill the midfield void, while Itakura steps up as the new leader on the pitch. The resilience of this reconfigured squad will be tested from the very first whistle in their opener against the Netherlands.
As the tournament kicks off, the Samurai Blue’s supporters—and Endo himself, now watching as a fan—wait to see how their team responds to adversity. The road to World Cup glory has never looked steeper, but if Endo’s career teaches anything, it’s that hope and determination can carry a team further than anyone dares to dream. The next chapter for Japan begins now, with a new captain, new challenges, and the same unyielding resolve to make history on the world stage.