FIFA WC: Japan captain Wataru Endo with foot injury, retires from international football
Monterrey, June 12
Japan have suffered a major setback after captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the FIFA World Cup with a foot injury, three days before their opening fixture against the Netherlands.
National team director Masakuni Yamamoto confirmed on Friday (IST) that Endo, who captained the Samurai Blue throughout qualifying, will miss the finals, having failed to recover from a foot injury that required surgery in late February.
Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino has been called up as Endo's replacement, while centre-back Ko Itakura has been confirmed as replacement captain. The defender, also based at Gladbach, wore the armband in the Kirin Challenge Cup match against Colombia in March.
Endo, capped 73 times by Japan, played his first game since February 11 when appearing in the first half of the team's 1-0 friendly win over Iceland in their Tokyo send-off on 31 May.
He had been training separately from the rest of the Japan squad at their base in Nashville, making a partial return to full training on Wednesday prior to the announcement.
Followong his withdrawal, Endo officially retired from international football. "From the moment I got injured up until now, I have done everything I possibly could, so I have no regrets,"
Endo said in a statement said, "As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad. Since my injury, I've done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever.
"Of course, there's frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I'm proud of how we've grown together since the Qatar World Cup-me as captain, leading this team and turning our goal of "winning the World Cup" into something we can say as a matter of course.
"The current team is truly a wonderful team. I believe they will overcome any adversity and show us sights we've never seen before. With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team. So from here on, I'll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans.
The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder is the anchor in the Japan engine room and coach Hajime Moriyasu had previously indicated that he would be fit in time for the finals.
Japan are in Group F and will open their campaign against the Netherlands in Dallas on 14 June.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I think it's a bit irresponsible for the coach to have said he would be fit when clearly he wasn't. Endo played a friendly just 11 days ago and now he's out? Japan's medical team should've been more upfront. The team could have planned better. But yes, Endo is a legend, no doubt.
Shuto Machino is a good replacement, but Itakura as captain? Interesting choice. He's solid but not as vocal as Endo. Still, Japan has shown they can adapt—watched them shred Germany in 2022. Netherlands will be tough, but this team has spirit. Endo will be watching from home like us! 🇯🇵⚽
Big respect for Endo retiring with grace. Too many players cling on and fade away. He's leaving the team in a strong position. "Proud of how we've grown together"—that's the spirit we need in Indian football too, where we fight over petty politics. Wish Japan all the best from Delhi! 🤞
This is so sad, Endo was their rock in midfield. And retiring immediately too? That's a lot of emotional weight for the team before such a big match. Hope Itakura can rally the boys. Also, Netherlands in Dallas on June 14? Weather will be crazy hot, both teams will suffer. Game of attrition. 🔥
As a Liverpool fan, Endo's story is incredible—from Stuttgart to Anfield, then captaining Japan to a World Cup dream.
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