Japan's national team has received a shock as captain Wataru Endo has been ruled out of the World Cup on the opening day due to injury. The news has rocked the squad, especially as the tournament has already begun.
Midfielder Daichi Kamada, a key figure for the team, led tributes to Endo. Kamada said: 'It's a huge shock. Endo is the heart of the team; losing him is an irreplaceable loss. But we must overcome this and fight for him.'
Wataru Endo, 33, sustained the injury during the final training session before the opening match. Doctors have confirmed he will not recover in time for the tournament in the United States. This marks the second time Endo has missed a World Cup due to injury after the 2022 edition.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu also expressed his regret: 'Endo is a true leader. I believe the team will continue to fight with a stronger spirit to dedicate victory to him.'
Earlier, the Japan team held a training session in front of 5,000 fans in Nashville after arriving in the U.S. But that upbeat atmosphere has been overshadowed by the news about Endo.
Endo, who has 65 international caps, is an indispensable presence in midfield. His absence forces Coach Moriyasu to urgently find a replacement ahead of the first match.
