Download the TribunX news application on the Play Store or App Store to get a new experience… TRIBUN-VIDEO.COM – The Japanese national team received bad news a few days before starting their journey to the 2026 World Cup. The team captain and senior midfielder, Wataru Endo, officially withdrew from the Japanese squad due to an ankle injury that has not yet fully recovered. The absence of this Liverpool player is certainly a big loss for Japan. However, the opportunity for Samurai Blue to become a surprise team at the 2026 World Cup has not been closed. Football observer from Spieltag Indonesia, Adrian, previously assessed that Japan was predicted to be the team with the most potential to steal attention in the group phase and knockout phase. “In the last two editions of the World Cup, Japan performed extraordinary. They beat Germany and Spain in the 2022 World Cup,” said Adrian when speaking on the Tribunnews Super Tactics Podcast. This assessment becomes even more interesting if you look at the latest developments in the Japanese squad. In the last few matches, Japan’s dependence on Endo has begun to decrease. Of the Blue Samurai’s last three matches, Endo only appeared once, namely when Japan beat Iceland 1-0 in a trial match on May 31. In fact, their main pillar lies in the solidity of playing together, with Hajime Moriyasu commanding on the sidelines. The coach Hajime Moriyasu factor is also a strength in itself for the Blue Samurai. “Hajime Moriyasu’s experience is also an added value because he has managed Japan in major tournaments for quite a long time,” he said. Japan’s golden generation is currently strengthened by players who are used to appearing at the European elite level, such as Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, Zion Suzuki and Ayase Ueda, who is the top scorer in the Eredivisie. This fact shows that Hajime Moriyasu’s team is starting to have squad depth that can cover the absence of their senior players. Therefore, it is believed that Wataru Endo’s absence from the 2026 World Cup will not diminish their status as a team with the potential for big surprises. Endo has actually been battling an ankle injury that required him to undergo surgery last February. He had hoped that he would recover in time to appear in the 2026 World Cup. However, this hope was dashed after he felt discomfort again when appearing against Iceland at the end of May. In that match, Endo only played for one half before being withdrawn. After 10 days had passed, it turned out that Endo’s injury did not allow him to fully recover. Via social media, the 33 year old player finally announced his withdrawal from the World Cup squad. Not only that, Endo also decided to end his long journey with the Japanese National Team. In his farewell message, Endo admitted that he was disappointed not to be able to appear in his last World Cup. However, he is proud of the developments Japan has achieved in recent years. He even expressed his belief that one day Japan would be able to win the World Cup. “I am proud of the development of this team since the Qatar World Cup. The current team is an extraordinary team.” “I believe they can overcome various difficulties and show something we have never seen before,” wrote Endo. “I will retire from the national team. So from now on, I will support the Japanese national team as a fan.” “The moment when the Japanese national team wins the World Cup will definitely come one day. Let’s believe and support them together,” he said. While defending Japan since his debut in 2015, Endo made 73 appearances and scored four goals. He was also an important figure when Japan reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup. His position in the squad has now been replaced by striker Shuto Machino, who plays for Borussia Monchengladbach. Japan will start their Group F match against the Netherlands on Monday (15/6/2026) in Arlington, Texas. Japan will also face Tunisia on June 21 in Guadalupe, Mexico, and Sweden on June 26 in Arlington, Texas. https://www.tribunnews.com/superskor/7841304/kapten-jepang-wataru-endo-out-dari-piala-dunia-2026-samurai-biru-tetap-jadi-mengancam?page=3 (Tribun-Video.com) VP: RAMA(INTERNSHIP)
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