Wataru Endo Steps Away from Japan Squad After Injury
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from Japanese international football after being ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a persistent foot injury.
The 33‑year‑old revealed that, despite exhaustive treatment and rehabilitation, he could not recover in time for the tournament. In a statement released on Friday, Endo said he had pursued every possible avenue to regain fitness.
“As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad,” he said on June 12. “Since my injury, I’ve done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever.”
Endo reflected on his time with the Samurai Blue, expressing pride in the team’s growth since the Qatar World Cup and confidence that the current squad will achieve great things. He confirmed that his withdrawal from the World Cup also marks the end of his national‑team career.
“With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team,” he added. “From now on I’ll cheer for Japan as a fan, and I believe the day they lift the World Cup will surely come.”
Endo earned 73 caps and scored four goals for Japan, featuring at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and being named in the 2018 squad (though he did not play). His leadership and consistency have left him as one of the nation’s most respected midfielders.
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