Japan Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws From FIFA World Cup 2026, Announces Retirement

Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 03:56 IST

According to Endo, he did everything possible to recover in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026 but was ultimately forced to pull out due to injury.

Japan men’s football team captain Wataru Endo took to X on Thursday (June 11) to confirm his withdrawal from the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury. According to Endo, who plays for Premier League club Liverpool, he did everything possible to recover in time for the tournament but was ultimately forced to pull out.

In a post that has since gone viral, the 33-year-old defensive midfielder also announced his retirement from international football. Endo stated that he will now support the Japan national team as a fan.

“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," Endo tweeted.

“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 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," he added.

Hours after Endo’s announcement on X, Liverpool also shared a statement confirming that the midfielder had withdrawn from Japan’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad due to injury.

" Wataru Endo has withdrawn from Japan’s World Cup squad due to injury, and announced his retirement from international football. Keep your head up, Wata," Liverpool tweeted.

Senesi called up to Argentina World Cup squad

New Tottenham Hotspur signing Marcos Senesi completed a dream 24 hours when on Thursday he was called up to the Argentina World Cup squad to replacing the injured Leonardo Balerdi.

The 29-year-old central defender comes in to the defending world champions 26-man squad after Balerdi suffered a leg injury earlier this month.

Senesi had an outstanding season for Premier League side Bournemouth, becoming a pivotal figure in them making club history as they will play in European club competition for the first time next season.

However, despite the promise of Europa League action Senesi declined a new contract, the ball-playing defender preferring a free transfer to a Spurs outfit who narrowly avoided relegation last season.

About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis. Based in Noida, he has reported extensively on the...Read More

News sports football Japan Captain Wataru Endo Withdraws From FIFA World Cup 2026, Announces Retirement

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