Unfortunately, injury is part of the everyday life of an average footballer but to be finally ruled out of a World cup team on the eve of the biggest stage of football being the FIFA World Cup mundial even as the national team captain is more like a tragedy that one shouldn’t wish for his or her family. This is the story of Japan national team captain and Liverpool FC midfielder- Wataru Endo.
🇯🇵 Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from international football as he shared his disappointment at being forced to miss the #WorldCup2026 because of the foot injury that ended his season with #LFC back in February.
🗣️ “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. 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!”
