Key Takeaways:
- Japan captain Wataru Endo has been battling a foot injury and is yet to complete a full training session ahead of Sunday’s World Cup opener
- Endo participated only in running and passing drills after arriving at the team’s World Cup base in Nashville
- Manager Hajime Moriyasu confirmed that squad replacements, including Endo, remain an option up to the last moment due to ongoing injury concerns
Endo’s Fitness Uncertainty Looms Large
Wataru Endo, who leads the Japanese national team, faces a race against the clock to recover for Japan’s opening World Cup fixture against the Netherlands on Sunday. The Liverpool midfielder, still nursing a foot issue, has been unable to partake in full training sessions at Japan’s pre-tournament preparations in Mexico.
On Monday, after Japan relocated to their World Cup base in Nashville, Endo was only involved with running and passing exercises alongside his teammates, raising doubts regarding his availability for the imminent clash in Dallas.
🇯🇵🔙Moriyasu believes his captain, Wataru Endo, will be ready for the opener against the Netherlands, and he’s back working with the ball.
🗞️ @gekisaka pic.twitter.com/QZa5GooxKK
— Japanese Football (@JapaneseFbl) June 8, 2026
Coach Moriyasu Awaits Medical Green Light
Manager Hajime Moriyasu provided a cautiously optimistic update, telling journalists prior to departing Mexico that, “According to the medical reports, there is nothing to say that he can’t play.” Moriyasu, who will lead Japan through Group F alongside Sweden and Tunisia as well as the Netherlands, expressed hopefulness regarding his captain’s recovery, stating, “So we just believe, pray and wait.”
Endo’s injury woes stem from a season-ending foot injury sustained during Liverpool’s match against Sunderland in February. Though he made a return with Japan in their 1-0 friendly victory over Iceland in Tokyo on 31st May, he departed at half-time, with subsequent discomfort persisting.
Squad Selection Challenges Amid Injuries
The prospect of replacing Endo in the squad remains under consideration if his participation proves impossible. Moriyasu commented, “I’m always considering replacements if a player can’t play, and that doesn’t just go for Endo but for everyone. We have several players returning from injury and we need to keep assessing them until the last minute, but we called them up with the assumption that they would be fit in time.”
Japan have also faced further selection dilemmas, excluding Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma following a hamstring injury incurred less than a week before squad announcement. Additionally, Takumi Minamino of Monaco was omitted from the tournament due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee sustained in December.
