Japan coach takes responsibility for Endo exit
Two days after Japan captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an ankle injury, head coach Hajime Moriyasu has revealed that he took responsibility for the decision.
After his withdrawal, Endo announced his retirement from international competition altogether, but Moriyasu it was ultimately his responsibility to send the former Liverpool midfielder home.
"As the head coach, I was the one who made the final decision," Moriyasu said.
Endo, 33, had been dealing with an ankle injury that required surgery in February. He was hoping to be fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but experienced discomfort and played only the first half in a pre-tournament friendly against Iceland on 1 June (AEST).
"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," Moriyasu added.
"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."
Japan opens Group F against Netherlands on Monday (AEST) in Arlington, Texas.
Endo has scored four goals in 73 caps for Japan since his 2015 debut with the national team. He helped the team reach the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
"As announced, I will be stepping away from the World Cup squad," Endo wrote on social media earlier in the week.
"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 some day. Let's believe in that and cheer them on together."
Borussia Moenchengladbach striker Shuto Machino has replaced Endo in the 26-man Japan squad.
Japan also faces Tunisia on 21 June (AEST) in Guadalupe, Mexico, and Sweden on 26 June (AEST) back in Arlington, Texas.
