Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has pulled out of the World Cup just hours before the tournament to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico kicks off
18:40, 11 Jun 2026Updated 18:46, 11 Jun 2026
Wataru Endo during a Japan training session.
Wataru Endo during a Japan training session.(Image: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has pulled out of the Japan squad for the World Cup, just hours before the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico kicks off.
Endo has a foot injury, Japanese media has reported. The 33-year-old picked up a serious injury in February against Sunderland but made a return just in time.
He played against Iceland on May 31 in Tokyo but has picked up another issue. Endo has been training separate to his teammates and is now pulling out of the competition at the last minute.
Endo trained earlier this week with Japan, but was only able to take part in some elements of the session.
Ko Itakura takes over as captain, with Shuto Machino taking his place in the squad following his withdrawal.
Japan will take on the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in the group stages. That means Endo will miss the chance to line up against Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak.
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Liverpool.com will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
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