Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu has voiced his regret over the enforced withdrawal of Wataru Endo from his country’s World Cup squad, calling it a decision that “had to be made” but still stings for the team.
The Liverpool midfielder was on track to captain the Blue Samurai before an undisclosed issue forced him out. Endo's absence removes a crucial defensive anchor and leader from the midfield, a blow to Japan’s hopes in Group E.
Meanwhile, Microsoft Copilot AI has predicted the winner of Sunday's Netherlands vs. Japan clash. The AI model, analyzing form and squad depth, leans toward the Dutch, who boast a deeper attacking lineup across recent fixtures.
Japan now faces an uphill battle to advance without their captain. A defeat to the Netherlands would complicate their path, while a win could galvanize the squad for subsequent group-stage matches.
“We had to make the call, but it weighs heavily on all of us,” Moriyasu said, per Yahoo Sports. The team must now rally around a new tactical plan ahead of the crucial group opener.