Wataru Endo played 73 times for Japan. | Photo Credit: AFP

When Japan takes the field in its FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against the Netherlands at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, it will be without senior statesman Wataru Endo.

While Endo was named in the squad as the skipper, he suffered a foot injury which ruled him out of the tournament. After his withdrawl, the 33-year-old announced his international announcement.

Endo, a veteran of 73 international caps and four goals, made his senior debut in 2015 and was part of Japan’s 2018 and 2022 World Cup squads.

Endo has made his name in Germany and England, playing for Stuttgart and Liverpool, where he won the Premier League in 2024-25.

Japan is in Group F with Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia.

Published on Jun 15, 2026