Liverpool star Wataru Endo has declared his retirement from international football, a decision prompted by a persistent foot injury that has ultimately ruled him out of Japan's World Cup squad. The midfielder, who has been a pivotal figure for both club and country, made the announcement via social media, expressing a mix of frustration at missing the tournament and immense pride in his time with the national team.
The injury initially surfaced during a Premier League fixture against Sunderland on 11th February, which proved to be his final club appearance of the season. Despite featuring for 45 minutes in a World Cup warm-up victory against Iceland, Endo's recovery has not progressed sufficiently for him to participate in the upcoming global showpiece. His absence is a significant blow for Japan, for whom he has been a driving force and captain.
In a heartfelt message shared on X, Endo conveyed his sentiments: "I will be leaving the World Cup squad. Since my injury, I’ve done everything I could, so I have no regrets." He added, "Of course I’m frustrated at not being able to participate in this World Cup. But more than that, I’m proud to have led this team as captain since the Qatar World Cup and to see it grow into a group that can naturally talk about the goal of winning the World Cup." Concluding his statement, he confirmed, "With this action, I will be retiring from the national team. From now on, I’ll continue to support the Japan national team as a fan alone."
Japan is set to commence their World Cup campaign this Sunday against the Netherlands. They will also face Sweden and Tunisia in their group, aiming to advance to the knockout stages. The team has demonstrated their capability, notably securing a 1-0 friendly victory over England at Wembley in March. Japan has a history of progressing to the round of 16 in the last two World Cups, navigating a challenging group featuring Spain and Germany four years ago, though they are yet to reach the quarter-finals.
Endo's retirement marks the end of an era for Japan's national side, where he has been a key leader and performer. His focus will now shift entirely to his recovery and his club commitments with Liverpool, where he will be looking to return to full fitness and contribute to their domestic and European ambitions.