Japan’s national team captain, Wataru Endo, has withdrawn from the FIFA World Cup due to a foot injury, just three days before their match against the Netherlands. Endo, who led the Samurai Blue in qualifying matches, was unable to recover from a foot injury that required surgery in February.
In his absence, Borussia Monchengladbach forward Shuto Machino will replace Endo, with Ko Itakura taking over as the new captain. Endo, who has represented Japan 73 times, played his last match on May 31 in a friendly against Iceland.
Following his withdrawal, Endo announced his retirement from international football, expressing pride in his team’s progress and wishing them success in the World Cup. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder, a key player for Japan, will be missed in the upcoming matches.
Japan, placed in Group F, will kick off their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on June 14 in Dallas.
