THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Japan captain Wataru Endo out of World Cup with injury, announces ... Japan's preparations for the 2026FIFA World Cuphas been rocked by the late withdrawal of captainWataru Endo-- just three days before they open their Group F campaign againstNetherlandsin Arlington. Furthermore, theLiverpoolmidfielder -- at the age of 33 -- has also announced his immediate retirement from international football. Since late February, Endo has struggled with a foot injury sustained while on club duty with Liverpool that required surgery, but it initially looked as though he had sufficiently recovered when he was named in the Samurai Blue's 26-man roster -- while the absence of other sidelined stars such asKaoru MitomaandTakumi Minaminowas confirmed. However, speculation soon surfaced around his condition after he lasted only a half in the warm-up friendly against Iceland on May 31 before being replaced after feeling discomfort. At the time, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu had said: "According to the medical reports, there is nothing to say he can't play. "So we just believe, pray and wait." Nonetheless, with Japan now just days away from what is -- on paper, at least -- their toughest assignment …

Japan Captain Wataru Endo Pulls Out of World Cup Due to Foot Injury Midfielder Wataru Endo, who had foot surgery in February, has also announced his retirement from international duty. Ko Itakura replaces Endo as captain. Japan midfielder Wataru Endo in a file photo. (©KYODO) Japan captain Wataru Endo , who missed several months of the 2025-26 English Premier League season due to a left foot injury, will not play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup . Endo announced his withdrawal from the 48-nation tournament on social media on Thursday, June 11, only three days before the Samurai Blue 's World Cup opener against the Netherlands in a Group F match. "Since getting injured and up till this point, I've done everything I could and I have no regrets," Endo wrote on Twitter (formerly X). "Of course I'm frustrated that I can't play at this World Cup. "But more than that, I'm proud that I've been able to captain this team since the Qatar World Cup and help it grow into a group where it feels natural to say our target is to win the World Cup." Endo expressed optimism about the Samurai Blue heading into soccer's World Cup. "The current team is truly a wonderful team," he wrote. "I believe they will …

Football: Kamada leads Endo tributes as Japan look to surmount late blow NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Kyodo) -- Japan players were rocked by the news Thursday that injured captain Wataru Endo had been ruled out of the World Cup on

Breaking: Wataru Endo Withdraws from World Cup https://www.europesays.com/uk/1020258/ In February, Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo underwent surgery for a broken left foot, with Japan’s captain spending most…#uk #news #uknews

Japan boss opens up about rueful Endo omission from World Cup (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images) Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has voiced his regret over the enforced withdrawal of Wataru Endo from his country’s World Cup squad. The Liverpool midfielder was on track to captain the Blue Samurai at the tournament in North America, having recently returned from the serious ankle injury which cut short his club season. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL EMPIRE OF THE KOP APP FOR ALL THE LATEST & BREAKING UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAY Sadly, on the opening day of the finals, the 33-year-old confirmed that he’d stepped down from the World Cup squad and simultaneously announced his retirement from international football 11 years on from his debut. Moriyasu voices regret over Endo World Cup blow Speaking through an interpreter prior to Japan’s opening Group F match against Netherlands on Sunday (via Daily Mail ), Moriyasu explained that Endo had pushed hard to return to full fitness for the tournament, but ultimately concluded that it’d be impossible for him to do so. The head coach said: “We had him try the best he could and also had the medical staff looking after him…

Football: Captain Endo out of World Cup, retires from Japan duty NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Kyodo) -- Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the country's World Cup squad due to a foot injury, the Japan Football As

Japan’s Wataru Endo retires after injury ends World Cup 2026 dream Midfielder and captain quits after failing to recover from foot injury ahead of Japan's game against the Netherlands.

The Japanese national team has been hit with a series of shocking news ... According to several major Japanese newspapers such asNikkan Sports,Chunichi Sports, andKyodo News, an MRI scan confirmed that the Real Sociedad star suffered a left knee injury after the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the opening match of Group F (June 15). Although the Japan Football Association (JFA) did not release details of the injury, it is highly likely that Takefusa Kubo will miss the remaining two matches against Tunisia and Sweden. During the match against the Netherlands, Takefusa Kubo suffered an injury after a collision with Denzel Dumfries in the second half. The 25-year-old midfielder lay on the ground in pain, requested to be substituted, and had to leave the stadium in a wheelchair after the match, causing great concern among Japanese fans. Takefusa Kubo appeared to be in pain after a collision with a Dutch player in the opening match. PHOTO: REUTERS The following day, Takefusa Kubo was taken to a local hospital for examination. The MRI results confirmed a left knee injury, but the JFA only briefly announced that the player was still able to walk on his own and would remain with the …

Japan captain Wataru Endo is out of the World Cup and retires from ... Japan’s Wataru Endo addresses fans before a training session Monday, June 8, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn., ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Japan’s Wataru Endo speaks to the media after arriving with teammates for the World Cup soccer tournament Monday, June 8, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Andri Fannar Baldursson of Iceland falls as he battles for the ball with Wataru Endo of Japan during the friendly soccer international between Japan and Iceland in Tokyo, Sunday, May 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) TOKYO (AP) — The Japan Football Association said Thursday that captainWataru Endohas withdrawn from the country’sWorld Cupsquad due to a foot injury. Later the Liverpool midfielder announced his surprise retirement from international duty. The 33-year-old Endo posted his decision on his X account in Japanese three days before his team’s Group F opener against the Netherlands. The Japan team has been training in Nashville, Tennessee. “Since getting injured and up till this point, I’ve done everything I could and I have no regret,” said Endo, who und…