Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo won’t be at the World Cup for Japan after he was left out by boss Hajime Moriyasu
Hajime Moriyasu (L), head coach of Japan and player Wataru Endo speak on during the Japan Training Session and Press Conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier Group C match between Japan and Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on March 19, 2025(Image: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has revealed it was his decision to leave captain Wataru Endo out of their World Cup squad, which has now ended the Liverpool midfielder’s international career.
Endo suffered a serious ankle injury in what was his only Premier League start of last season when the Reds beat Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in February.
The Samarai Blue skipper had always aimed to make a return in time for the showpiece event taking place across Canada, United States and Mexico butt he posted an emotional message on social media earlier this week that confirmed he would not be able to play at the tournament.
In that address Endo revealed he is now calling time on his Japan tenure and despite returning to action on May 31 against Iceland, it was deemed by Moriyasu that the captain was not fit enough to play a significant role at the World Cup, which begins for Japan against the Netherlands today (Sunday)
“As the head coach, I was the one who made the final decision,” Moriyasu said.
“I’d been receiving reports from the medical staff. During the game with Iceland, he was not able to perform on the pitch for a long time.
“We had him try as best as he could and also had the medical staff looking after him.
“We discussed that throughout the World Cup, it may be difficult for him to perform for the entire period of the games, therefore I made the final decision looking at his condition.
“It felt really bad for me to give him such a message. Of course, it’s impossible to know exactly how he felt or know what his thoughts were, but he was very understanding and respectful and we could maintain our good conversation in a cool manner.”
It means Endo will be with the Liverpool squad when they fly out to the United States next month for their pre-season tour under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
In his post on Thursday evening, Endo wrote: “As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad. Since my injury, I’ve done everything I possibly could up to this point, so I have no regrets whatsoever.
“Of course, there’s frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I’m proud of how we’ve grown together since the Qatar World Cup – me as captain, leading this team and turning our goal of ‘winning the World Cup’ into something we can say as a matter of course.
“The current team is truly a wonderful team. I believe they will overcome any adversity and show us sights we’ve never seen before.
“With this campaign, I will be retiring from the national team. So from here on, I’ll be cheering for the Japan national team as one of the fans.
“The moment when the Japan national team wins the World Cup will surely come someday. Let’s believe in that and cheer them on together.
“And let’s unite Japan’s strength as one so that moment comes in this tournament—everyone, let’s take on the North and Central America World Cup together!!
“Everyone, give it everything you’ve got. Wataru Endo.”