Japan Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws from World Cup, Retires from International Football
Japan national team captain Wataru Endo (33) withdrew from the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a foot injury, subsequently announcing his retirement from international football. The Liverpool midfielder, who had not played since February after surgery, was replaced by Shuto Machino. Defender Ko Itakura was named new captain. Endo chose to leave the squad directly rather than stay as an advisor. Japan, also missing Kaoru Mitoma, begins Group F play against the Netherlands in Dallas.
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Takumi Minamino Holds Up Wataru Endo's Jersey After Japan's World Cup Victory
In a World Cup group stage match on June 21, Japan defeated Tunisia 4-0. During the post-match celebration, Japanese forward Takumi Minamino, who missed the tournament due to injury but remained with the team, held up the jersey of teammate Wataru Endo. Endo had been selected for Japan's World Cup squad but was forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained just before the tournament began. Following the injury, Endo also announced his retirement from the national team. Minamino's gesture served as a tribute to his injured and now-retired teammate, highlighting team solidarity and emotional support.
虎扑 - 足球Virgil van Dijk Shows True Colors with Gesture to Injured Liverpool Teammate Wataru Endo
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk demonstrated his thoughtful nature by handing the captain's armband to teammate Wataru Endo during a pre-season tour match in Japan last year. Endo, a Japanese international, has now been forced to withdraw from Japan's 2026 World Cup squad due to a broken foot sustained in February against Sunderland, and subsequently announced his retirement from international football. The injury prevented a highly anticipated matchup between Van Dijk's Netherlands and Endo's Japan in their opening Group F fixture. Endo, 33, earned 73 caps for Japan since 2015 and joined Liverpool after the 2022 World Cup, winning the Premier League and Carabao Cup. He expressed no regrets about his international career and will now support Japan as a fan. Van Dijk's gesture was widely praised as a mark of respect for his teammate's homecoming.
Mirror - FootballJapan coach Hajime Moriyasu takes responsibility for Wataru Endo's World Cup withdrawal
Two days after Japanese captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the 2026 World Cup due to an ankle injury, coach Hajime Moriyasu told reporters he took responsibility for the decision. Endo, a 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder, subsequently announced his retirement from international competition. Moriyasu explained that medical reports and Endo's limited performance in a May 31 friendly against Iceland led to the difficult decision. Endo, who has 73 caps and four goals for Japan since 2015, helped the team reach the Round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup. He expressed support for the team as a fan. Shuto Machino, a Borussia Monchengladbach striker, replaced Endo on the 26-man roster. Japan opens Group F play against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, Texas, and will also face Tunisia and Sweden.
Yardbarker: SoccerEndo retirement forces midfield rethink for Japan ahead of Dutch meeting
Japan's World Cup campaign faces a midfield reshuffle after captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the squad due to a recurring foot injury and subsequently announced his international retirement. Coach Hajime Moriyasu replaced Endo with forward Shuto Machino, leaving Ao Tanaka to potentially partner with Kaishu Sano or Daichi Kamada. Japan faces the Netherlands in Dallas on June 14, 2026, in their Group F opener. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman also has injury concerns, with goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen recovering from a knock and forward Memphis Depay lacking match fitness. The match is the first between the nations since a 2013 friendly draw; the Dutch won their only previous World Cup meeting in 2010.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Wataru Endo Withdraws from 2026 World Cup with Injury, Retires from International Football
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has announced his withdrawal from the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Japan due to a foot injury sustained earlier this year while playing for Liverpool. The 33-year-old also declared his retirement from international football, stating he has no regrets after doing everything possible to recover. Endo ends his Japan career with 73 caps and four goals, having played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and been part of the 2018 squad without playing. He will now support his national team as a fan. Japan begins their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Group F on Sunday.
CaughtOffsideWataru Endo Injury Forces World Cup Exit As Japan Star Announces Retirement
Japan national team captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup squad due to a foot injury. In a subsequent announcement, Endo declared his retirement from international football, ending his career representing Japan. The news was reported by Yardbarker Soccer on June 12, 2026. Endo's absence is a significant blow to Japan's World Cup campaign, as he was a key leader and defensive midfielder for the Samurai Blue. The retirement marks the end of an era for Japanese football, with Endo having been a stalwart for the national team over many years.
Yardbarker: SoccerPremier League Winner Wataru Endo Announces International Retirement After World Cup Injury
Wataru Endo, a Premier League winner, has withdrawn from Japan's squad for the upcoming World Cup and announced his retirement from international football. The decision comes after the midfielder lost his fitness battle just days before the tournament, ruling him out of the competition. Endo's retirement marks the end of a significant international career for Japan, as the team prepares for the World Cup without one of its key experienced players. The announcement was made on June 12, 2026, shortly before the tournament's start.
Yardbarker: SoccerJapan captain Wataru Endo withdraws from World Cup and retires from international football
Japan national team captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad due to a foot injury and announced his retirement from international duty. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder posted his decision on X (formerly Twitter) three days before Japan's Group F opener against the Netherlands. Endo underwent surgery on his left foot in February and played only the first half of a warmup match against Iceland on May 31. The Japan Football Association confirmed the withdrawal on June 11, 2026, and named Ajax defender Ko Itakura as the new captain, with Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino called up as a replacement. Endo expressed no regrets and said he will support the team as a fan going forward.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Japan Captain Wataru Endo Ruled Out of 2026 World Cup, Ends International Career
Japan national team captain Wataru Endo announced on June 11, 2026, that he will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a lingering foot injury and has decided to end his international career. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder sustained the injury during a match against Sunderland in February 2025, which ended his club season. He returned for a friendly against Iceland on May 31, 2026, playing only the first half before feeling discomfort. Despite efforts to regain fitness during Japan's training camp in Mexico and at their base camp in Nashville, he could not recover in time for the tournament. Endo has been replaced by Shuto Machino of Borussia Mönchengladbach. Japan is in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden, with their opening match against the Netherlands on June 14. Endo, who earned 73 caps and scored 4 goals since his debut in 2015, participated in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. He expressed hope that Japan will one day win the World Cup and urged fans to support the team.
Home Football - actualitésJapan Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws from 2026 World Cup and Retires from International Football
Japan national team captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup and simultaneously ended his international career, just three days before Japan's tournament debut. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder had been struggling with injuries since February, playing only half a game for Japan in a friendly against Iceland in late May before being substituted due to physical discomfort. In his place, forward Shuto Machino from Borussia Mönchengladbach has been called up by manager Hajime Moriyasu. Midfielder Hidemasa Morita, who recently left Sporting, remains out of the squad. Endo stated he has no regrets and will now be 'just another fan cheering.' He leaves the national team with 73 caps and 4 goals.
RecordJapan's Wataru Endo Out of World Cup, International Career Over
Japanese national team captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the upcoming World Cup due to an ankle injury and simultaneously announced his retirement from international football. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder had been dealing with the injury, which required surgery in February 2026. Endo's decision marks the end of his international career, leaving a significant gap in Japan's midfield ahead of the tournament. The announcement was made on June 11, 2026, just days before the World Cup is set to begin.
Yardbarker: SoccerJapan Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws from World Cup Due to Injury, Retires from International Football
Japan's national football team captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup squad due to an injury sustained during a difficult season with Liverpool. The 33-year-old midfielder also announced his retirement from international football, stating he has no regrets and will now support the team as a fan. The Japan Football Association has called up Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Shuto Machino as his replacement. Japan, making its eighth World Cup appearance, is in Group F and will debut against the Netherlands in Dallas on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia and Sweden. Endo expressed pride in the team's growth since the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
FútbolEndo Ends National Team Career; Gladbach's Machino Called Up as Replacement
Japanese international Wataru Endo has ended his national team career due to an injury, opening the door for Borussia Mönchengladbach forward Shuto Machino to be called up as his replacement. Machino, who plays for the Bundesliga club, will now participate in the upcoming World Cup. The decision marks a significant shift in Japan's squad composition, as Endo's absence removes a key defensive midfielder from the lineup. Machino's inclusion provides attacking depth for the Samurai Blue.
kicker Fußball NewsJapan Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws from World Cup and Retires from International Football
Japan captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, 33, has retired from international football after withdrawing from Japan's World Cup squad due to a foot injury. Endo has not played domestic football since February following surgery, though he featured briefly in a friendly against Iceland in late May. He scored four goals in 73 appearances for Japan since his debut in 2015. Endo expressed no regrets and praised the current team, saying he believes they will overcome adversity. He has been replaced in the squad by Borussia Monchengladbach's Shuto Machino. This is the latest World Cup blow for Japan, as Brighton forward Kaoru Mitoma was also ruled out with a hamstring injury. Japan, in Group F, begins their tournament against the Netherlands on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia and Sweden.
BBC SportInjured Japan Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws from World Cup and Retires from International Football
Japan captain Wataru Endo has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to an injury sustained during a warm-up match against Iceland in late May. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder, who has 73 caps and 4 goals for Japan since his debut in 2015, announced his retirement from international football. He expressed no regrets in a social media post, stating he did everything in his power to recover. Endo is replaced in the squad by Shuto Machino of Borussia Mönchengladbach, and the captain's armband has been passed to Ko Itakura of Ajax. Japan begins their World Cup campaign on Sunday in Group F against the Netherlands, followed by matches against Tunisia and Sweden.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuJapan: Wataru Endo Out of the 2026 World Cup Due to Injury
Japan national team has suffered a major blow ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the squad due to injury. The Japanese Football Federation announced the change on June 11, 2026, stating that Endo will be replaced by Shuto Machino of Borussia Mönchengladbach. Endo, a key player for Japan, joins a growing list of World Cup withdrawals, following Morocco's earlier announcement of Abde Ez and Nayef Aguerd's absences. Japan is set to face Sweden, Tunisia, and the Netherlands in the group stage of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertJapanese Media: Endo Wataru Could Have Stayed as Advisor, but He Chose to Leave Without Saying Goodbye
Japanese national team captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the World Cup due to injury, as announced by the Japan Football Association on June 12. According to Japanese media outlet Sports Hochi, Endo could have remained with the team as an advisor, similar to Takumi Minamino, but he chose to leave directly without addressing the team. The decision was made on the evening of June 10 after a conversation between head coach Hajime Moriyasu and Endo. Before leaving, Endo had a private talk with new captain Ko Itakura, who conveyed Endo's thoughts to the team, urging them to move forward with stronger responsibility. Endo expressed his apologies to the media through Technical Director Masakuni Yamamoto and wished the team the best results. The Japanese team will head to Dallas for their first group match against the Netherlands.
虎扑 - 足球Japan Captain Wataru Endo Announces Retirement from National Team After Injury Forces World Cup Withdrawal
Japanese national football team captain Wataru Endo announced on social media that he will retire from international duty after the current national team activity, following his withdrawal from the World Cup squad due to injury. Endo expressed no regrets, stating he did everything possible to recover. He voiced pride in leading the team since the Qatar World Cup and helping them grow into a squad capable of aiming for a World Cup title. Despite disappointment at missing the tournament, he expressed confidence in the team's ability to overcome adversity and achieve victory. Endo will now support the team as a fan. The Japan Football Association confirmed his withdrawal and named Shuto Machino as his replacement.
虎扑 - 足球Ko Itakura Named Japan National Team Captain After Endo Wataru Injury Withdrawal
On June 12, the Japan Football Association officially announced that midfielder Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the national team due to injury. As a result, defender Ko Itakura has been appointed as the new captain of the Japan national team. The announcement was made via the association's official X (formerly Twitter) account. The change comes as a sudden development for the team, which is preparing for upcoming international fixtures. No further details on the nature or severity of Endo's injury were provided in the brief statement.
虎扑 - 足球