Wataru Endo ruled out of 2026 World Cup due to ankle injury, Shuto Machino called up as replacement

Wataru Endo won’t be playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Liverpool midfielder, one of Japan’s most experienced and influential players, has been officially ruled out due to a left ankle ligament tear that has kept him sidelined since February.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu has called up forward Shuto Machino as Endo’s replacement, reshuffling his squad just days before the tournament begins on June 11 in the United States.

A months-long battle with a brutal injury

Endo suffered a complete left ankle ligament tear during a Premier League match against Sunderland back in February 2026. He underwent surgery and hasn’t featured for Liverpool since.

When Japan announced their World Cup squad in mid-May 2026, Endo’s name was on the list. The hope was that he could recover in time, and Endo himself expressed optimism about making it back.

As of early June, Endo was still absent from training sessions. Moriyasu made the call.

Who is Shuto Machino, and what does he bring?

Machino comes in with Bundesliga experience on his resume. That said, he’s a forward, not a midfielder. This isn’t a like-for-like swap. Machino previously substituted for an injured player in Japan’s 2022 World Cup squad, replacing a defender on that occasion.

Japan’s World Cup preparations under pressure

Endo has captained the Japan national team since 2024 and joined Liverpool from VfB Stuttgart in 2023. The timeline tells the story of how tight this situation was: injury in February, surgery, named in the squad in May despite not playing for months, then pulled in early June when it became clear recovery wasn’t progressing fast enough.

The 2026 World Cup begins on June 11, with Japan’s opening fixture approaching in days.

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