Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has issued a statement after withdrawing from the World Cup through injury and confirming that he has retired from international soccer
19:13, 11 Jun 2026Updated 19:20, 11 Jun 2026
Wataru Endo steps off the plane in Nashville.
Wataru Endo steps off the plane in Nashville.(Image: Donald Page/Getty Images)
Wataru Endo has issued a statement after his World Cup dreams were cut short just hours before the tournament begins, confirming that he has retired from international soccer.
The Liverpool midfielder picked up a serious injury in February when he was stretchered off against Sunderland in February in the Premier League. He returned to action in a friendly against Iceland a few days ago, but has since been unable to train fully because of discomfort.
"As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad," he wrote on social media. "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.
Wataru Endo during a Japan training session.
Wataru Endo during a Japan training session.(Image: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
"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 moment when the Japan national team wins the World Cup will surely come someday.
"Let's believe in that and cheer them on together. And let's unite Japan's strength as one so that moment comes in this tournament — everyone, let's take on the North and Central America World Cup together!!
"Everyone, give it everything you've got."
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Japan will take on the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in the group stages, which means Endo will miss the chance to line up against Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak.
The Netherlands game is on Sunday, June 14. The Tunisia game is Sunday, June 21, and the Sweden game is Friday, June 26.
"I hope everyone will achieve the best possible results," Endo is quoted as saying by Nikkei ahead of his departure from the squad.