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Japan’s Wataru Endo retires after injury ends World Cup 2026 dream

Japan’s Wataru Endo retires after injury ends World Cup 2026 dream

Summary

Japan’s football captain Wataru Endo has retired from international play after suffering a foot injury that forced him out of the 2026 World Cup. He will not play in the tournament and has been replaced by Shuto Machino in Japan’s squad.

Key Facts

  • Wataru Endo is the captain of Japan’s national football team.
  • He injured his foot while playing for Liverpool in February and did not fully recover.
  • Endo announced his retirement from the national team just before Japan’s first World Cup game.
  • Shuto Machino from Borussia Monchengladbach replaced Endo in the World Cup squad.
  • Endo made his debut for Japan in 2015 and played 73 games, scoring 4 goals.
  • He was part of Japan’s 2018 and 2022 World Cup teams and helped beat Germany and Spain in 2022.
  • Endo expressed pride in leading the team and hopes Japan will win the World Cup in the future.
  • He will continue supporting Japan as a fan after retiring from international football.
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