Wataru Endo
33-Year-Old
Liverpool
Premier
OUT
Injury Undisclosed
Est. Return 8/1/2026
Withdrawn from Japan squad
Endo (undisclosed) has been ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing a further evaluation of his left foot injury, with coach Hajime Moriyasu making the final decision to withdraw him from the squad following a medical report on his condition, according to Gekisaka.
ANALYSIS
Endo had undergone ankle surgery in February and rejoined the national team without having played again for Liverpool, making his fitness a concern throughout the buildup to the tournament. He started the Kirin Challenge Cup match against Iceland on May 31 but was forced off at halftime after feeling discomfort in his left foot, and had been unable to participate in collective training during the preparation camp in Monterrey before rejoining the group on June 8 for recovery work. The federation confirmed he did not leave of his own accord, with manager Hajime Moriyasu making the final call following the latest medical assessment. Shuto Machino's call-up brings the Japanese squad back to full strength ahead of their World Cup opener against the Netherlands, with Ko Itakura now shouldering the added responsibility of the captaincy in what is a significant blow for Japan heading into the tournament.
Endo had undergone ankle surgery in February and rejoined the national team without having played again for Liverpool, making his fitness a concern throughout the buildup to the tournament. He started the Kirin Challenge Cup match against Iceland on May 31 but was forced off at halftime after feeling discomfort in his left foot, and had been unable to participate in collective training during the preparation camp in Monterrey before rejoining the group on June 8 for recovery work. The federation confirmed he did not leave of his own accord, with manager Hajime Moriyasu making the final call following the latest medical assessment. Shuto Machino's call-up brings the Japanese squad back to full strength ahead of their World Cup opener against the Netherlands, with Ko Itakura now shouldering the added responsibility of the captaincy in what is a significant blow for Japan heading into the tournament.
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More Fantasy News
Trains with team
Endo (undisclosed) returned to team training and could be an option for Japan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands on Sunday, the Japanese Federation posted.
ANALYSIS
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Racing to be fit for opener
Endo (undisclosed) is in a race to be fit for Japan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands on Sunday, with coach Hajime Moriyasu expressing hope rather than certainty over his captain's availability, per Japanese Football. "According to the medical reports, there is nothing to say that he can't play. So we just believe, pray and wait."
ANALYSIS
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Training separately due to injury
Endo (undisclosed) is training separately from the Japan squad at their preparation camp in Monterrey, having been seen limping upon arriving, raising fresh concerns over his fitness ahead of the World Cup opener against the Netherlands on June 14, according to Football Zone.
ANALYSIS
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Plays 45 minutes for Japan
Endo played 45 minutes in Japan's 1-0 victory in Sunday's friendly against Iceland, marking his first competitive appearance since sustaining a foot injury during Liverpool's win at Sunderland in early February, according to the club.
ANALYSIS
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Fit for bench
Endo (foot) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Brentford.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Several teams want him
Several teams in Europe are keeping close tabs on Endo, according to Caught Offside.
ANALYSIS
The 31-year-old midfielder is in high demand, and his lack of minutes at Liverpool suggests he might be on the move sooner than later. AC Milan, Fulham, Wolves and Ipswich are all interested in the Japan international.
The 31-year-old midfielder is in high demand, and his lack of minutes at Liverpool suggests he might be on the move sooner than later. AC Milan, Fulham, Wolves and Ipswich are all interested in the Japan international.