'Japan Captain' Endo Shocked Out, Retires → Japanese National Team in Tears Ahead of Netherlands Match

*This content was translated by AI.

A major crisis has struck the Japanese national football team. "Captain" Wataru Endo (33, Liverpool) has been forced out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America due to injury. He has also announced his retirement from the national team. The shocking news brought tears to the eyes of Japanese national team players.

Reuters reported on the 11th (Korean time) that "Japan national team captain Endo has been dropped from the World Cup squad due to injury. This is a major blow to Japan. Endo has also announced his retirement from the national team."

Endo is regarded as Japan's key midfielder and spiritual leader. However, he suffered a left ankle injury while playing for his club, Liverpool (England), in February, enduring a difficult period. He showed a rapid recovery and returned in May, making it onto the final World Cup roster. But his condition worsened again, and he ultimately could not step onto the World Cup stage.

Through his SNS, Endo said, "Since getting injured, I have done everything I could up to this very moment. Therefore, I have no regrets." He added, "I will retire from the Japanese national team after this journey. From now on, I will support the Japanese national team as one of its fans," leaving a farewell message.

The sudden departure and retirement announcement of the captain left the Japanese national team in shock. Some players were moved to tears. According to Japan's Nikkan Sports, defender Ko Itakura (Ajax) has been appointed as the new captain to succeed Endo. Itakura conveyed the news of Endo's departure to the squad during a training ground meeting, and during the process, Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord) confessed that he shed tears.

Watanabe said, "Endo must have spent four years preparing for the World Cup. There are certainly aspects of the feelings Endo had for this tournament that I cannot fully grasp. It is a huge shock. I am sad and frustrated."

He continued, "I believe the difference with Endo and without him is significant. But this is a wall we must overcome. We must definitely overcome it," showing his resolve.

Watanabe also said that he had spoken with Endo the previous day. However, Endo did not directly inform him of his departure. Watanabe stated, "Endo could not tell us about his departure himself. He likely decided it was better to have the team convey the news rather than speak directly, and to leave the team quietly. That is why hearing the news of his departure was even more sad."

Itakura, who was appointed as the new captain, could not have had an easy heart either. Watanabe explained, "Itakura did not shed tears, but his emotions were evident when he conveyed the news of Endo's departure. It seems Itakura also found it difficult to accept easily."

Japanese media Sports Bull Japan also reported on the heavy atmosphere within the national team. The outlet revealed that "40-year-old veteran" Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo) also struggled to speak upon hearing the news of Endo's departure and retirement.

Endo's departure is undoubtedly a major blow to Japan. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu selected Shuto Machino (Mönchengladbach), a forward, as Endo's replacement. Machino is not a resource who can directly fill the void left by Endo in terms of position. Ultimately, Japan must now reconfigure its midfield combinations with its current roster.

Immediately, Japan faces the Netherlands in the first group stage match on the 15th. Having to face a powerhouse from the very first World Cup match has increased the concerns for Coach Moriyasu.

Meanwhile, Japan has been drawn into Group F for the North America World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia. After playing the Netherlands in the first match, Japan will face Tunisia in the second match on the 21st, and will play Sweden in the third match on the 26th.

Starting from this North America World Cup, the number of participating teams in the final tournament has increased from the existing 32 to 48. Accordingly, the group stage will be played with 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32.

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*This content was translated by AI.