Japan's Wataru Endo forced to withdraw from World Cup

Japan's Wataru Endo forced to withdraw from World Cup

Japan and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has been forced to withdraw from the 2026 World Cup due to injury.

The 33-year-old underwent surgery on a broken foot in February and was sidelined for the second half of the Liverpool’s season in a bid to be fit in time for the World Cup.

Endo earned a place in Japan’s squad and even managed to play 45 minutes in their pre-tournament friendly against Iceland.

Japan have now announced that their captain has withdrawn from the squad and will be replaced by Shuto Machino.

Endo had spent the past week back in solo training at the national team camp in Nashville after suffering a recovery setback.