FIFA World Cup 2026: Japan dealt gut punch as Samurai Blue lose captain Endo Wataru to foot injury

FIFA World Cup 2026: Japan dealt gut punch as Samurai Blue lose captain Endo Wataru to foot injury

Three days before their first game against the Netherlands, Japan coach Moriyasu Hajime makes the teeth-clenching decision to drop the Liverpool midfielder, who has been slow to recover from a left-foot injury. Ajax centre-back Itakura Ko takes over as captain, while Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Shuto Machino is named as Endo’s replacement.

Japan have been rocked just days before their first game at the FIFA World Cup as captain Endo Wataru was dropped from the squad due to injury on Thursday (11 June) and with it, the Liverpool midfielder announced his international retirement.

Ajax defender Itakura Ko has been trusted with the armband in Endo’s stead. Borussia Monchengladbach striker Machino Shuto - not a defensive midfielder as Endo is - has been called up as the replacement for a Japan team some regard as dark horses at the expanded, 48-team competition.

To be clear, Endo did not withdraw. The decision was made by Japan coach Moriyasu Hajime after the 33-year-old aggravated a left-foot injury during the team’s final tune-up on 31 May at home against Iceland. He was initially hurt in February while playing for Liverpool, needing surgery.

Japan’s opening Group F match is on Sunday (14 June) against the Netherlands in Dallas. With injury replacements allowed until 24 hours before the first game, Moriyasu made the call.

By the time the Japan Football Association made the shocking announcement at their U.S. training base in Nashville, Tennessee, Endo had already left the team and did not speak to media. The only player he spoke to before leaving was Itakura, and many of Endo’s team-mates were rightfully emotional, some in tears.

Shortly after parting ways, Endo took to social media to announce his retirement from the national team. This World Cup was set to be his third - until Thursday.

“Since being injured, I have done everything within my powers so I have no regrets,” Endo wrote on his X handle. “Obviously, it pains that I will not be participating at this World Cup.

“But since the Qatar World Cup, I have led this team as captain and am happy to see us mature into a group capable of trying to win the World Cup.

“This team is truly an amazing team. I am convinced they will overcome any and obstacles and take us to see a view we have not seen before.

“I am now retiring from national team activities. So, from hereon I will support Japan as one of the fans. I have no doubt that there will come a time when Japan win the World Cup.”

Endo's situation is the second pre-tournament blow for Japan, who already had to leave out star wing Mitoma Kaoru also because of injury been sustained.