Wataru Endo Out of World Cup Due to Injury; Ko Itakura Named New Japan Captain

2026 World Cup Key News

Central News Agency

(NASHVILLE, CNA Combined Foreign Report, June 11) The Japan Football Association announced today that captain Wataru Endo will miss this World Cup after his recovery from left foot ligament surgery did not progress as expected. He will be replaced by Shuto Machino, who plays in the German Bundesliga. The captaincy will be assumed by Ko Itakura.

This World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Japan has been drawn into Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden. Japan's opening match is scheduled for 4:00 AM Taipei time on the 15th against the Netherlands, followed by a match against Tunisia at 12:00 PM Taipei time on the 21st, and a final group stage match against Sweden at 7:00 AM Taipei time on the 26th.

According to the Nikkei, Japan national team manager Hajime Moriyasu made the decision to adjust the roster after receiving a report from the medical team.

Endo stated, "I hope the team can achieve the best possible result," and left the team this morning. His teammates were informed of the decision during a meeting that day.

Japan national team defender Ko Itakura will take over the captaincy from Endo. Itakura currently plays for Ajax in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Shuto Machino currently plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach, a top club in the German Bundesliga.

Endo announced the news on his social media platform X today. "Of course, it's frustrating not to be able to play in this World Cup, but more than that regret, I am proud to have led this team as captain since the Qatar World Cup, to have grown together with everyone, and to have become a team that talks about winning the World Cup," he said.

He then encouraged the team, saying, "The team is truly in a great state right now. I believe everyone can overcome any adversity and show us a landscape we have never seen before."

Japan Football Association Technical Director Masakuni Yamamoto commented, "I think he himself feels the most regret. I also feel it's a great shame." Regarding Endo meeting only with Itakura before leaving the team, Yamamoto explained, "It was his own wish. Endo's feelings must have been complicated, so we fully respected that."

Endo underwent foot surgery in February and returned to competitive action for the first time on May 31, playing in a friendly match against Iceland. However, he continued to feel discomfort in his foot and trained separately from the rest of the national team, striving to recover in time for the first group stage match.

Endo is currently 33 years old. He participated in the 2018 Russia World Cup and the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and this injury means he will miss the chance to play in his third consecutive World Cup. (Editor: Yang Weijing) 11506112

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