Liverpool’s Wataru Endo pulls out of World Cup and surprises fans by announcing his retirement from international soccer.
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has decided to retire from international football after pulling out of Japan’s World Cup squad just hours before their first match.
The 33-year-old was part of Japan’s 26-man team and even played in their friendly game against Iceland in late May. That match was a big deal for Endo, who had spent months recovering from a foot injury he got during a Premier League game against Sunderland back in February.
But that game against Iceland was his last for Japan. On Thursday night, he announced that he’s stepping away from the national team.
On X, he said, “As I said before, I’m leaving the World Cup squad. Since my injury, I’ve done everything I could, so I don’t have any regrets. Of course, I’m sad I can’t play in the World Cup, but I’m proud of how we’ve grown since the last World Cup in Qatar—me as captain, leading this team, and making our dream of winning the World Cup feel real.”
Endo added, “This team is amazing. I believe they will face any challenges and show us things we’ve never seen before. I’m retiring from the national team now, but I’ll be cheering for Japan as a fan. I truly believe the day Japan wins the World Cup will come someday.”
He finished with a message for everyone: “Let’s believe in that and cheer them on together. Let’s come together as one for this tournament—everyone, let’s take on the North and Central America World Cup with all we’ve got!”
Endo played 73 times for Japan from 2015 to 2026 and scored four goals.
It’s been confirmed that Ajax midfielder Ko Itakura will be the new captain, and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Shuto Machino will join the squad in Endo’s place.
Japan will face the Netherlands in Dallas on June 14th, followed by games against Tunisia on June 21st and Sweden on June 26th in Group F.