Wataru Endo Trains Separately for Third Straight Day, Five Days Before World Cup Opener

Captain's Fitness the Key Variable

With five days remaining until Japan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands on June 15 (JST), the condition of captain Wataru Endo, the team's anchor in both attack and defense, remains the biggest uncertainty. At the team's training camp in Monterrey, Mexico, Endo has trained separately from the main group for three consecutive days. Based on official team comments and reports, here is a chronological breakdown of the situation.

The World Cup-Driven Surgery Decision

Endo's cautious regimen stems from a serious injury sustained in February. On February 11, he suffered a complete rupture of the Lisfranc ligament in his left foot while playing for Liverpool. To prioritize his World Cup participation, he returned to Japan for surgery. He opted for an artificial ligament reinforcement, a procedure with an approximate three-month recovery time, over a more traditional plate fixation that would have required a longer rehabilitation and a second surgery for removal. This was a calculated decision, with a stated goal of returning for the late-May friendlies or the European finals, a timeline built entirely around being ready for this tournament.

Return and Precautionary Substitution

After about three and a half months, Endo met his target, returning to action in the May 31 friendly against Iceland. However, he was substituted at halftime. Manager Hajime Moriyasu explained it was a precaution after Endo "felt some discomfort". Endo himself clarified that the issue was not with the surgically repaired area but with surrounding tissues prone to tightness and swelling during the recovery phase. He viewed the 45 minutes of play as a positive step that applied a necessary load to his foot, and managing the reaction to this load is the purpose of the current phase.

'Rebound' in Monterrey

This background is key to understanding the current situation in Monterrey. On the first day of camp, as teammates like Europa Conference League winner Daichi Kamada began training, Endo remained at the hotel for individual work. After his second day on a separate program, technical director Masakuni Yamamoto officially addressed the situation, stating they are managing a "rebound during recovery". The term 'rebound' suggests this is not a new injury but an expected fluctuation of swelling and settling in the healing process. On day three, as the team held its first closed session and welcomed veteran defender Maya Yoshida as a non-roster support player, Endo was again absent from the group. The fact that defender Ayumu Seko, who had also been on a separate menu, partially rejoined team training on the same day further highlights the particularly cautious approach being taken with the captain.

Focus on Rejoining Full Training

The team is intensifying its preparations for the opener while carefully managing its captain's recovery. The staff's use of the term 'rebound' suggests the process is under control, while the shift to closed sessions and Yoshida's presence show they are preparing for all possibilities. The crucial question is when Endo can fully rejoin group training. His return to the main squad will be the first and most definitive indicator of his availability for the match against the Netherlands.