Wataru Endo Retires From International Play, Misses World Cup

WHO:

Daily Mail Sports - Wataru Endo, a 33-year-old midfielder for Liverpool and the Japan national team.

Sportskeeda - Japan national football team, Japan's football federation.

WHAT:

Newsweek - Wataru Endo withdrew from the Japan national team just three days before their opening match against the Netherlands in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Daily Mail Sports - Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from international play.

Sportskeeda - Endo has withdrawn from the Japan national team and will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury.

WHERE:

Daily Mail Sports - The announcement pertains to the Japan national team, which is participating in the FIFA World Cup.

WHEN:

Sportskeeda - Endo will not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

WHY:

Daily Mail Sports - Endo suffered an ankle injury during a Premier League match against Sunderland in February, which required surgery.

HOW:

Daily Mail Sports - Endo only returned to the bench for the last game of the season after undergoing surgery for his injury.

(UPDATED June 12, 2026 04:24 UTC)

Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the Japan national team just three days before their opening match against the Netherlands in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This decision comes as a significant development for the team as they prepare for the tournament. Fans will be watching closely to see how this impacts Japan's performance on the world stage.

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(UPDATED June 11, 2026 21:45 UTC)

Wataru Endo, a 33-year-old midfielder for Liverpool and the Japan national team, has announced his retirement from international play and will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to an injury. Endo suffered an ankle injury during a Premier League match against Sunderland in February, which required surgery, and he only returned to the bench for the last game of the season. This decision affects the Japan national team as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.