Endo Leaves Japan World Cup Squad and Retires From Japan Duty

Japan captain Wataru Endo pulled out of the japan world cup squad on Thursday because of a foot injury, then announced his retirement from international duty. The 33-year-old stepped away three days before Japan's Group F opener against the Netherlands, forcing a captaincy change on the eve of the tournament.

Endo Steps Aside

Endo said he had been proud to captain the side since the last World Cup, but his injury left him unable to continue. He posted his decision on his X account after Japan moved to replace him in the squad, closing a national-team run that had carried him through the team's build-up to this tournament.

He had surgery on his left foot in late February and came off at halftime in Japan's send-off game against Iceland on May 31 in Tokyo. Endo had been training separately from the rest of the squad until making a partial return to full-team training on Wednesday near Nashville, Tennessee, where Japan had its base camp.

Ko Itakura Takes Charge

Japan named Ajax defender Ko Itakura as its new captain and called up Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino as Endo's replacement. Japan team director Masakuni Yamamoto said manager Hajime Moriyasu made the final call after a report from the medical team.

Itakura visited Endo's room after hearing the news and said, "It really hurts to lose our captain at this stage". He added, "I don't think it's easy to accept a decision like this...(but) he didn't show it and was staying calm."

Japan’s Group F Start

Endo also urged Japan supporters to back the team as the tournament began, writing, "There'll definitely come a moment when Japan win the World Cup...To make that moment arrive at this tournament, let's unite all the power of Japan as we head into the World Cup. Everyone, let's just do it." His exit leaves Japan to open Group F without the captain who had led it since the last World Cup, with Itakura now carrying that responsibility and Machino taking a place in the squad.