Japan captain Wataru Endo has announced his retirement from international football after being forced to withdraw from Japan’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad due to a left ankle injury.
The emotional announcement came through a heartfelt message posted on his official X account (@wataruendo0209), confirming both his World Cup withdrawal and his decision to bring an end to a distinguished international career.
The veteran midfielder revealed that despite exhausting every possible effort to recover in time for the tournament, he ultimately fell short in his battle against injury.
Endo admitted the disappointment of missing football’s biggest stage remains painful, but emphasized that his greatest pride lies in helping transform Japan into a team that openly believes it can become world champions.
Since the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Endo has served as captain and played a key role in shaping a new mentality within the Samurai Blue setup.
“As announced, I will be leaving the World Cup squad. Since suffering the injury, I have done everything I possibly could, so I have no regrets.
Of course, I am disappointed not to be able to play in this World Cup. But more than that, I am proud that since the Qatar World Cup, I have led this team as captain and helped build a group that can confidently speak about the goal of winning the World Cup.”
The 33-year-old expressed complete confidence in the current Japanese squad, describing it as one of the strongest teams the nation has ever produced.
He believes the team possesses the character and resilience to overcome adversity and achieve unprecedented success on the global stage.
“This is truly a wonderful team. I believe they can overcome any challenge and show us a future we have never seen before.”
Japan entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 carrying high expectations after several years of consistent progress under their current generation of players, with many analysts viewing them as genuine dark-horse contenders.
In the most significant revelation of his statement, Endo confirmed that his withdrawal from the World Cup would also mark the end of his journey with the national team.
The midfielder stated that he will now support Japan from the stands as a fan rather than as a player.
“With this activity, I have decided to retire from the national team. From now on, I will support Japan as one of its fans.
The day will surely come when Japan wins the World Cup. I truly believe that, and I hope everyone continues to support the team.”
Despite his personal heartbreak, Endo called on supporters across Japan to unite behind the Samurai Blue as they embark on their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in North America.
His farewell message reflected the leadership qualities that made him one of the most respected figures in Japanese football.
“Let’s bring Japan’s strength together and challenge this World Cup as one nation. Hopefully, that historic moment can come in this tournament.
Everyone, give it everything you’ve got.”
Credit Photo : X @Wataru0209
