Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo will miss this summer’s FIFA World Cup after being ruled out through injury, according to Japan officials.
Endo had been named in the national team squad for the tournament but had already spent much of the closing stages of the season sidelined for Liverpool due to injury concerns.
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The Japan international suffered a serious foot injury during Liverpool’s win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in February, an issue that sidelined him for much of the remainder of the season.
Although he was named in Japan’s squad for the tournament and was even on the bench for Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brentford on May 24. He featured against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31, but the 33-year-old has since picked up another issue.
The former Stuttgart midfielder has been training separately from his teammates and is now set to withdraw from the competition at the last minute due to the setback.
Japan Football Association national team director Masakuni Yamamoto confirmed that Endo’s foot injury had not improved, leading to his withdrawal from the squad.
Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Shuto Machino has been called up as his replacement for the World Cup to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Japan are appearing at their eighth consecutive World Cup and are targeting a third straight progression to the knockout stage.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they produced major upsets by defeating both Germany and Spain in the group stage before being eliminated on penalties by Croatia in the round of 16.
Ko Itakura will take over over as captain, with Wataru Endo ruled out of the tournament. Japan will face the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in the group stage.
Endo’s absence also means he will miss the opportunity to face several Liverpool teammates, including Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak.
The Netherlands fixture is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, followed by Tunisia on Sunday, June 21, and Sweden on Friday, June 26.
It is currently unclear whether Wataru Endo will be available for Liverpool’s pre-season training next month under new head coach Andoni Iraola.