New Delhi, June 12 -- Wataru Endo announced his retirement from international football on Thursday after the Japanese captain failed to make the FIFA World Cup 2026 cut due to an injury. The development came in three days before Japan's campaign opener in Group F against the Netherlands.

The 33-year-old Endo made the announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account in Japanese. "Since getting injured and up till this point, I've done everything I could and I have no regret," said the Liverpool midfielder, who underwent surgery on his left foot in February.

"Of course, there's frustration at not being able to participate in this World Cup, but more than that, I'm proud of how we've grown together since the Qatar World Cup-me as captain, ...