Key facts
- Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the World Cup squad due to a foot injury.
- Endo announced his retirement from international duty.
- The 33-year-old midfielder underwent surgery in February and failed to recover in time for the tournament.
- Ajax defender Ko Itakura has been named the new captain.
- Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino has been called up as Endo's replacement.
Japan's World Cup campaign has been dealt a significant blow with the withdrawal of captain Wataru Endo due to a persistent foot injury. The Liverpool midfielder confirmed his departure from the tournament and simultaneously announced his retirement from international football.
Endo, 33, had been racing against time to recover from surgery on his left foot, which he sustained in February. Despite returning to the Liverpool matchday squad as an unused substitute in the final game of the season, it became clear he was not fit enough to compete at the World Cup level. He expressed no regrets about his international career, stating his pride in the team's growth and his belief in their potential to succeed without him.
Following Endo's withdrawal, the Japan Football Association has appointed Ajax defender Ko Itakura as the new captain. Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino has been called up to fill Endo's place in the squad. Endo, who earned 73 international caps and scored four goals for Japan, previously featured in four matches during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.