World Cup 2026: Injured Japan captain Wataru Endo retires from international football

Japan captain Wataru Endo has officially announced his retirement from international football after a persistent foot injury forced him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder made the sudden announcement via social media on Friday, June 12, 2026, just three days before Japan’s opening Group F match against the Netherlands.

World Cup dream cut short

Endo had been racing against time to recover from a severe foot injury sustained in February. Japan Head Coach Hajime Moriyasu made the final medical decision to withdraw the midfielder after tests showed he could not safely compete.

In an emotional farewell statement, Endo expressed deep gratitude to his supporters, stating that he gave everything to recover, has no regrets, and will continue supporting the Samurai Blue as their biggest fan.

An historic international legacy

The midfielder retires with an impressive legacy, having earned 73 caps and scoring four goals since his senior international debut in 2015. Endo served as the crucial anchor of Japan’s midfield during both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

He notably played a pivotal role in the historic upset victories over Germany and Spain during the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Following the departure of Maya Yoshida after that tournament, Endo was named national team captain, leading his country with distinction through the 2026 qualification cycle.

New leadership and roster changes

Endo’s sudden departure has forced immediate leadership and tactical changes within the squad just days before their tournament opener.

The Japan Football Association (JFA) confirmed that Ajax defender Kō Itakura will take over as the new national team captain.

To fill the vacant spot on the final 26-man roster, Coach Moriyasu has called up Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Shuto Machino.

Deepening squad injury crisis

The loss of Endo deals a catastrophic blow to Japan’s tournament aspirations and severely deepens an ongoing squad availability crisis.

The Samurai Blue were already short-handed heading into Group F, with star forward Kaoru Mitoma and playmaker Takumi Minamino previously ruled out of the tournament due to their own respective injuries.

Japan must now reconfigure its tactical core under Itakura’s leadership as they prepare to face the Netherlands.