Liverpool midfielder beats injury after receiving official World Cup call-up

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Japan have officially called up their captain Wataru Endo for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with head coach Hajime Moriyasu naming his final 26-man Samurai Blue squad on 14 May.Before the tournament kicks off, Japan will use the Kirin Challenge Cup 2026 as final preparation, taking on Iceland at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on 31 May.The Samurai Blue then open their World Cup Group Stage campaign on 14 June against the Netherlands, with the tournament running through to the final on 19 July across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.The big question surrounding Endo’s inclusion, however, has been his fitness.The 33-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury during Liverpool’s Premier League win at Sunderland back in February – stretchered off after he had, in typical Endo fashion, hauled himself up to help defend a corner before going down again. It was a ligament injury.

I chose the second one, an artificial ligament, because it’s a bit easier to do the rehab. To put a plate in I needed to take it out after three months.”The decision was a calculated one with the World Cup firmly in mind.

“The doctor in the UK said I could play with a plate at the World Cup and after the World Cup maybe I’d need to take it off and then I’d need another three months to rehab. This artificial ligament just needs three months, I don’t need to take it off,” Endo added.It then seems he has beaten his injury or is at the very least is on the mend in time for Japan’s group stage opener.